Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
Select a book and chapter to read the MPV in modern, pastor-shaped English. This view shows the reading edition of the text in paragraphs.
Currently viewing: Malachi 1 · MPV reading edition
The Lord's Message to Israel
I have loved you, yet you ask how I've shown you love. Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother? But I chose to love Jacob, not Esau. I hated Esau and destroyed his mountains and heritage, giving them over to wild beasts in the wilderness.
Edom boasts of being impoverished but promises to return and rebuild. But this is what the Lord of hosts says: "They will build, but I'll tear down. They'll call it 'The Border of Wickedness' and 'The People Against Whom the Lord Has Endless Anger.'"
Your eyes will see the destruction I bring upon you, and you'll say, "The Lord will be magnified beyond the border of Israel."
If I'm a Father to you, where is my honor? If I'm your Master, where is my reverence? The priests who despise my name ask this.
You offer polluted bread on my altar and ask, "How have we polluted you?" But by saying, "The Lord's table is contemptible," you've already polluted it. And if you offer blind animals for sacrifice, or lame and sick ones, isn't that evil? Offer them to your governor; will he be pleased with you?
You ask me to show favor, but this has been your doing. Will I regard your persons, says the Lord of hosts? Who among you would shut the doors of my altar in vain, kindling a fire without making an offering? I take no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I won't accept your offerings.
From the rising to the setting sun, my name will be revered among all nations. In every place incense will be offered to me, along with pure sacrifices, for my name will be great among the Gentiles, says the Lord of hosts.
You've profaned my table by saying it's polluted and that my food is contemptible. You said it was a burden to serve me, treating it with disdain. And you brought offerings that were torn, lame, or sick. Can I accept such sacrifices from your hands? Says the Lord.
But cursed be the deceiver who vows to sacrifice a defective offering to the Lord. I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is revered among the nations.