1 And now, O ye priests{H3548}, this commandment{H4687} is for you.

2 If ye will not hear{H8085}{(H8799)}, and if ye will not lay{H7760}{(H8799)} it to heart{H3820}, to give{H5414}{(H8800)} glory{H3519} unto my name{H8034}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}, I will even send{H7971}{(H8765)} a curse{H3994} upon you, and I will curse{H779}{(H8804)} your blessings{H1293}: yea, I have cursed{H779}{(H8804)} them already, because ye do not lay{H7760}{(H8802)} it to heart{H3820}.

3 Behold, I will corrupt{H1605}{(H8802)} your seed{H2233}, and spread{H2219}{(H8765)} dung{H6569} upon your faces{H6440}, even the dung{H6569} of your solemn feasts{H2282}; and one shall take you away{H5375}{(H8804)} with it.

4 And ye shall know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I have sent{H7971}{(H8765)} this commandment{H4687} unto you, that my covenant{H1285} might be with Levi{H3878}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}.

5 My covenant{H1285} was with him of life{H2416} and peace{H7965}; and I gave{H5414}{(H8799)} them to him for the fear{H4172} wherewith he feared{H3372}{(H8799)} me, and was afraid{H2865}{(H8738)} before{H6440} my name{H8034}.

6 The law{H8451} of truth{H571} was in his mouth{H6310}, and iniquity{H5766} was not found{H4672}{(H8738)} in his lips{H8193}: he walked{H1980}{(H8804)} with me in peace{H7965} and equity{H4334}, and did turn{H7725} many{H7227} away{H7725}{(H8689)} from iniquity{H5771}.

7 For the priest's{H3548} lips{H8193} should keep{H8104}{(H8799)} knowledge{H1847}, and they should seek{H1245}{(H8762)} the law{H8451} at his mouth{H6310}: for he is the messenger{H4397} of the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}.

8 But ye are departed{H5493}{(H8804)} out of the way{H1870}; ye have caused many{H7227} to stumble{H3782}{(H8689)} at the law{H8451}; ye have corrupted{H7843}{(H8765)} the covenant{H1285} of Levi{H3878}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}.

9 Therefore have I also made{H5414}{(H8804)} you contemptible{H959}{(H8737)} and base{H8217} before all the people{H5971}, according{H6310} as ye have not kept{H8104}{(H8802)} my ways{H1870}, but have been partial{H5375}{(H8802)}{H6440} in the law{H8451}.

10 Have we not all one{H259} father{H1}? hath not one{H259} God{H410} created{H1254}{(H8804)} us? why do we deal treacherously{H898}{(H8799)} every man{H376} against his brother{H251}, by profaning{H2490}{(H8763)} the covenant{H1285} of our fathers{H1}?

11 Judah{H3063} hath dealt treacherously{H898}{(H8804)}, and an abomination{H8441} is committed{H6213}{(H8738)} in Israel{H3478} and in Jerusalem{H3389}; for Judah{H3063} hath profaned{H2490}{(H8765)} the holiness{H6944} of the LORD{H3068} which he loved{H157}{(H8804)}, and hath married{H1166}{(H8804)} the daughter{H1323} of a strange{H5236} god{H410}.

12 The LORD{H3068} will cut off{H3772}{(H8686)} the man{H376} that doeth{H6213}{(H8799)} this, the master{H5782}{(H8802)} and the scholar{H6030}{(H8802)}, out of the tabernacles{H168} of Jacob{H3290}, and him that offereth{H5066}{(H8688)} an offering{H4503} unto the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}.

13 And this have ye done{H6213}{(H8799)} again{H8145}, covering{H3680}{(H8763)} the altar{H4196} of the LORD{H3068} with tears{H1832}, with weeping{H1065}, and with crying out{H603}, insomuch that he regardeth{H6437}{(H8800)} not the offering{H4503} any more, or receiveth{H3947}{(H8800)} it with good will{H7522} at your hand{H3027}.

14 Yet ye say{H559}{(H8804)}, Wherefore{H4100}? Because the LORD{H3068} hath been witness{H5749}{(H8689)} between thee and the wife{H802} of thy youth{H5271}, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously{H898}{(H8804)}: yet is she thy companion{H2278}, and the wife{H802} of thy covenant{H1285}.

15 And did not he make{H6213}{(H8804)} one{H259}? Yet had he the residue{H7605} of the spirit{H7307}. And wherefore one{H259}? That he might seek{H1245}{(H8764)} a godly{H430} seed{H2233}. Therefore take heed{H8104}{(H8738)} to your spirit{H7307}, and let none deal treacherously{H898}{(H8799)} against the wife{H802} of his youth{H5271}.

16 For the LORD{H3068}, the God{H430} of Israel{H3478}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} that he hateth{H8130}{(H8804)} putting away{H7971}{(H8763)}: for one covereth{H3680}{(H8765)} violence{H2555} with his garment{H3830}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}: therefore take heed{H8104}{(H8738)} to your spirit{H7307}, that ye deal not treacherously{H898}{(H8799)}.

17 Ye have wearied{H3021}{(H8689)} the LORD{H3068} with your words{H1697}. Yet ye say{H559}{(H8804)}, Wherein have we wearied{H3021}{(H8689)} him? When ye say{H559}{(H8800)}, Every one that doeth{H6213}{(H8802)} evil{H7451} is good{H2896} in the sight{H5869} of the LORD{H3068}, and he delighteth{H2654}{(H8804)} in them; or, Where is the God{H430} of judgment{H4941}?