Esau's descendants may say, “Although our nation Edom is in ruins, we will rebuild it.” But I, the Lord All-Powerful, promise to tear down whatever they build. Then everyone will know that I will never stop being angry with them as long as they are so sinful.

Israel, when you see this, you will shout, “The Lord's great reputation reaches beyond our borders.”

Judgment against Priests

I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests. Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, “How did we insult you?”

You embarrass me by offering worthless food on my altar. Then you ask, “How have we embarrassed you?” You have done it by saying, “What's so great about the Lord's altar?”

But isn't it wrong to offer animals that are blind, lame, or sick? Just try giving those animals to your governor. That certainly wouldn't please him or make him want to help you.

I am the Lord God All-Powerful, and you had better try to please me. You have sinned. Now see if I will have mercy on any of you.

I wish someone would lock the doors of my temple, so you would stop wasting time building fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you priests, and I refuse to accept any more of your offerings.

From dawn until dusk my name is praised by every nation on this earth, as they burn incense and offer the proper sacrifices to me.

But even you priests insult me by saying, “There's nothing special about the Lord's altar, and these sacrifices are worthless.”

You get so disgusted that you even make vulgar signs at me. And for an offering, you bring stolen animals or those that are lame or sick. Should I accept these?

True and False Priests

I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something else to say to you priests.

You had better take seriously the need to honor my name. Otherwise, when you give a blessing, I will turn it into a curse. In fact, I have already done this, because you haven't taken to heart your duties as priests.

I will punish your descendants and rub your faces in the manure from your animal sacrifices, and then be done with you.

I am telling you this, so I can continue to keep my agreement with your ancestor Levi.

He taught the truth and never told lies, and he led a lot of people to turn from sin, because he obeyed me and lived right.

You priests should be eager to spread knowledge, and everyone should come to you for instruction, because you speak for me, the Lord All-Powerful.

But you have turned your backs on me. Your teachings have led others to do sinful things, and you have broken the agreement I made with your ancestor Levi.

So I caused everyone to hate and despise you, because you disobeyed me and failed to treat all people alike.

You people in Judah and Jerusalem have been unfaithful to the Lord. You have disgraced the temple that he loves, and you have committed the disgusting sin of marrying the worshipers of other gods.

And why isn't God pleased? It's because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise.

Didn't God create you and your wife to become like one person? And why did he do this? It was so you would have children, and then lead them to become God's people. Don't ever be unfaithful to your wife.

The Lord God All-Powerful of Israel hates anyone who is cruel enough to divorce his wife. So take care never to be unfaithful!

You have worn out the Lord with your words. And yet, you ask, “How did we do that?” You did it by saying, “The Lord is pleased with evil and doesn't care about justice.”

The Promised Messenger

I, the Lord All-Powerful, will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then suddenly the Lord you are looking for will appear in his temple. The messenger you desire is coming with my promise, and he is on his way.

A Day of Change

On the day the Lord comes, he will be like a furnace that purifies silver or like strong soap in a washbasin. No one will be able to stand up to him.