Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away(A) from my decrees and have not kept them. Return(B) to me, and I will return to you,”(C) says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask,(D) ‘How are we to return?’

“Will a mere mortal rob(E) God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes(F) and offerings. You are under a curse(G)—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe(H) into the storehouse,(I) that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates(J) of heaven and pour out(K) so much blessing(L) that there will not be room enough to store it.(M) 11 I will prevent pests from devouring(N) your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,(O)” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed,(P) for yours will be a delightful land,”(Q) says the Lord Almighty.(R)

Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God

13 “You have spoken arrogantly(S) against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask,(T) ‘What have we said against you?’

14 “You have said, ‘It is futile(U) to serve(V) God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements(W) and going about like mourners(X) before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant(Y) blessed. Certainly evildoers(Z) prosper,(AA) and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Faithful Remnant

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.(AB) A scroll(AC) of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared(AD) the Lord and honored his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my(AE) treasured possession.(AF) I will spare(AG) them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son(AH) who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous(AI) and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.(AJ)

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