⁷ “For^(A) the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth;
^(B)For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
⁸ But you have departed from the way;
You ^(C)have caused many to stumble at the law.
^(D)You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
⁹ “Therefore ^(E)I also have made you contemptible and base
Before all the people,
Because you have not kept My ways
But have shown ^(F)partiality in the law.”

¹³ And this is the second thing you do:
You cover the altar of the Lord with tears,
With weeping and crying;
So He does not regard the offering anymore,
Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.

⁸ For ^(A)Jerusalem stumbled,
And Judah is fallen,
Because their tongue and their doings
Are against the Lord,
To provoke the eyes of His glory.