2 But now, this command is for you, priests:
²     If you don’t listen,
        or don’t intend to glorify my name,
says the Lord of heavenly forces,
        then I will send a curse among you.
        I will curse your blessings,
            and I mean really curse them,
            because none of you intend to do it.
³ I am about to denounce your offspring;
        I will scatter feces on your faces,
        the feces of your festivals.
Then I will lift you up to me,^[a]
4     and you will know that I have sent this command to you
        so that my covenant with Levi can continue to exist,
says the Lord of heavenly forces.
⁵ My covenant with him involved life and peace, which I gave him,
        and also fear so that he honored me.
            He was in awe of my name.
⁶ True Instruction was in his mouth;
        injustice wasn’t found on his lips.
He walked with me in peace and did the right thing;
        he made many turn from iniquity.
⁷ The lips of the priest should guard knowledge;
        everyone^[b] should seek Instruction from his mouth,
            for he is the messenger from the Lord of heavenly forces.
⁸ But you have turned from the path.
        You have caused many to stumble by your instruction.
        You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,
says the Lord of heavenly forces.
⁹ Moreover, I have made you despised and humiliated in the view of all the people,
        since none of you keep my ways
            or show respect for Instruction.