Malachi
From the Greek Septuagint
About
Malachi is the record of a prophecy written after the Jews returned from Babylonian exile (during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah).
It’s unclear exactly who the author was, since ‘Malachi’ is probably not someone’s name. The Hebrew name of the book is ‘Malaki,’ and just means ‘my messenger’ – and it doesn’t have the usual prefix or suffix of ‘jah’ found in most Jewish names. 1st century Jews believed that the author was actually Ezra. Whoever the author actually was, according to the Jewish tradition, he (or she) was the last prophet that God sent.
This prophecy shows all the reasons why God had become displeased with His people and with their Priests – even at this early date.
Indeed, after the coming of JesusYeshuaIshoa, the Judean cities were destroyed, the people were either killed or sold into captivity, and Temple-based Judaism led by the Priests was totally dissolved.
The prophecy also contains references to the work of John the Immerser, the coming of the Messiah, the final destruction of JeruSalem, and the respect that even the people of the nations (the gentiles) had for God and His Name.
Source
We’ve translated it from Greek Septuagint manuscripts dating from the 300s AD; that makes our sources about 600 years older than the traditional Hebrew text used by other Bibles. Learn why.
Translation
- Known and suspected fake words and phrases commonly included in popular translations are
[greyed-out], followed by a link to our spurious texts article. - Alternative translations and editor notes appear [like this].
- Text that’s missing from our source manuscript, but filled in from another source, is marked with [[double brackets]].
- Prophetic books often include not two, but three voices: That of the prophet, the messenger (often called the Lord), and God Himself. Most other translations do not understand this, causing confusion. Learn more.
- Where text appears to be poetry (or was translated from poetry), we’ve tried to recreate a poetic cadence. Learn more.
- All circumlocutions for God’s Name appear as '[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”'. You can change this to '[Yahweh]' or “Lord” in your settings.
- Many names use CamelCase to show where they contain references to different Gods, e.g. IsaiAh, JeruSalem, etc. Learn why. You can toggle these on or off in your settings.
- The original texts had no chapter or verse numbers, paragraph breaks, line breaks, margins, punctuation, or capital letters. These are all added for clarity, but be aware that they can sometimes subtly alter the meaning. Learn more.
- Words [inserted] by the translator for clarity are always in [brackets]. These are not part of the original source text. Learn more.
1
1This is the matter of the word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” concerning IsraEl [that came] by the hand of His messenger.
[‘For God says:]
2‘I have loved you,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”…
‘But you’ve asked:
‘How have You loved us?’
‘Wasn’t Esau the brother of Jacob?’ asked [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
‘Yet, although I loved Jacob, 3I disliked [his brother];
So I ordered an end to his borders
And I gave him a home in the desert.
4‘And because Edom will say,
Although we’ve been cut down,
We’ll return and rebuild our [homes]…
For this,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty;
‘If they rebuild them, I’ll still knock them down;
For the ‘Lawless Borders,’ is what they’ll be called,
And a ‘People Opposed to [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.’
5‘And when your eyes see this, you’ll say:
‘[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” has been magnified
Far beyond IsraEl’s borders.’
6‘Fathers are glorified by their sons
And servants bring glory to their masters.
But if I’m your father, where is My glory?
And if I’m your Master, where is [your] fear?’
‘…asks [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.
‘You Priests treat My Name with contempt,
Then ask how you’ve shown it dishonor…
7By bringing unclean bread to My Altar!
‘Then you ask how you’ve made it unclean…
You do it when you say that My table’s unclean,
And you treat it with contempt by the things that you bring!
8‘For, when you offer [a lamb] that is blind;
Isn’t this something that’s evil?
And when you bring Me the lame and the ill;
Isn’t this [something that’s] wrong?
‘Carry it instead to [your king]
(The man who [rules over] you)…
Will this gift bring you his favor?
Yes, when you present it to him,
Will he bestow honor upon you?’
‘…asks [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘No!’
9‘Now, repent before the face of your God…
Yes, come before Me and beg!
With all the bad being done by your hands,
Should I accept such things from your souls?’
‘…asks [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘No!’
10‘Thus to you, the doors will be closed…
So don’t come and ask for My favor
By igniting a fire on My Altar.
‘There’s nothing at all that I need from you,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘So I won’t accept any [gifts] from your hands.
11‘Among the rest of the nations
(All from the sunrise to the sunset)
My Name has been glorified.
For, to My Name, they burn incense,
And what they offer before Me is pure!
‘Yes My Name is great among even the gentiles,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
12‘But, you still profane it whenever you say:
‘The table of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” is unclean!’
‘And you treat the food that’s set before Me
As something that’s worthy of contempt.
13‘For you say:
‘It’s just too much trouble…’
‘And then, you [sniff in distain],’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘As you bring Me game and the lame and the ill.
‘Yes you’ve offered such things up to Me.
But, when I receive these things from your hands,
Do you think that I’ll show you favor?’
‘…asks [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘No!’
14‘Cursed is the powerful man
Who has a male [sheep] in his flock
And whose vow [to Me] is now due…
But he offers Me something imperfect instead!
For, no one is greater than I,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘My Name is known among even the gentiles!’
2
1‘O Priests,
‘This is what I’m saying:
2‘If you won’t listen and take it to heart
That My Name must be glorified,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘I’ll send curses upon you…
I’ll curse all the things that you want me to bless…
I’ll curse them and not let them happen
If you don’t take this message to heart.
3'{Look!} Although I’ve given the [lamb’s] shoulders to you;
I can throw their dung in your faces…
Their manure, I’ll send to your holiday feasts,
And after that, I’ll remove you!
4Then you’ll know that I am the One
Who sent these instructions to you.
‘This is what I promised to Levi,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty God…
5‘For I made an agreement with him…
An agreement that brings life and peace.
I also [taught him to] fear Me,
As I prepared him to glorify My Name.
6‘The law of truth, [I put] into his mouth,
And unrighteous words weren’t found on his lips.
Straightforward in peace, he traveled with Me,
And many, he turned from injustice.
7‘So the Priests must safeguard the knowledge
That used to come from his lips,
And seek the laws that came from his mouth;
For, he’d served as a messenger
Of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty God.
8‘But, you’ve turned from his ways,
And many, you’ve turned from the Law…
You’ve corrupted My sacred agreement with Levi…’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
9‘So I’ve now handed you over
To those whom you view with contempt…
To those whom even the gentiles
Fail to view with respect.
For, you haven’t guarded My ways,
And My people, you’ve turned from My Laws.
10‘Don’t you each have one father,
And weren’t you formed by one God?
So, why have you each let your brothers
Profane My Agreement with your fathers?
11‘For this, I’m abandoning Judah…
Because in IsraEl and JeruSalem,
Disgusting things are now being done!
‘Judah has profaned [My] most holy things
(Things that I [dearly] loved)
When they [turned] to alien gods.
12‘So the Lord will destroy those who have done this,
And Jacob’s tents will be humbled…
Those who carry sacrifices [before Me].
13‘Yes, you’re the ones who have done all these things,
And that’s why I’ve come to hate you…
For you’ve covered My Altar with tears!
‘You’ve brought weeping and groaning upon it,
Because of the troubles you’ve caused.
For you thought I’d accept whatever you bring
As though it was truly worthy!
14‘So the time has arrived when you’ll ask Me:
‘Why have You done this [to us]?’
‘It’s because the Lord has served as a witness
Between you and the wives of your youth…
Those whom you’ve sent away…
Those who have [long] been your partners…
Those to whom [you’ve sworn oaths]!
15‘Because you’re doing such things,
Don’t expect Me to send anything good
With even small portions of My holy breath!
‘Then you asked:
‘What more than offspring does God want?’
‘[I want you to] safeguard your spirits,
And not to abandon the wives of your youth!
16‘No, don’t detest them and send them away,
Then cover it up in your minds,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, IsraEl’s God.
‘For, thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty God:
‘Keep a close watch on your spirits,
And don’t abandon [your women]!
17‘You also provoke [Me] with things that you say…
And then you ask how you’ve done this.
You do it by saying before Him
That even the wicked are good…
That He really thinks [kindly] of them,
And that God doesn’t truly want justice.’
3
1‘So, {Look!} I’ll be sending My messenger to you,
To prepare the way for the face of the Lord
(The one for whom you’ve been searching),
And he’ll suddenly arrive at My Temple…
This messenger of [My] Sacred Agreement.
‘Look, he’s coming,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty,
2‘And who can endure the Day he arrives…
Yes, when he appears, who will stand?
For he’ll enter like the fire of a furnace
And like bleach that’s used to do washing.
3‘He’ll put his melting pot into a furnace
As they do when they refine silver;
Then the sons of Levi, he will refine,
And he’ll pour them out like silver or gold.
‘Then they’ll finally be found worthy to serve
[Before [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, the Almighty]…
And they’ll offer sacrifices that are righteous.
4Then once again, I’ll be as pleased
With the offerings of Judah and JeruSalem
As I was in the days of the ages,
And in the years of long ago.
5‘Then I’ll come against you in judgment,
And against all those who make potions.
I’ll also be a swift witness
Against those who’re committing adultery
And swearing false oaths by My Name…
Those who don’t pay their employees…
Those who tyrannize orphans and widows,
And to foreigners, won’t give any justice.
‘Yes, these are the ones who don’t fear Me,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
6‘I’m [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, your God, and I never change!
7‘For you sons of Jacob just won’t turn away
From the sins of your fathers…
You’ve not turned from them or guarded My Laws!
‘[All I ask] is for you to turn back to Me,
And then I’ll turn back to you.’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘Yet you ask:
‘From what do you want us to turn?’
8‘Will a man be stomped on by God? No!
Yet, you [are guilty] of stomping on Me!
Then you ask:
‘How have we been stomping on You?’
‘By holding back your first-fruits!
9For you’ve turned from Me and stashed them away…
This is how you are stomping on Me!
10‘This year has now come to an end,
And you’ve harvested produce and stored it in barns…
But your homes will soon all be ravaged!
‘If you’ll just offer to Me what [is due],’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…
‘See if I do not open to you
An outpouring of rain from the skies!
‘Yes I’ll pour My blessings upon you
Until you’ve received [more than] enough.
11For you, I will set aside food,
And I’ll not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor will I weaken your grapevines,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.
12‘Then, all the nations will say that you’re blest,
And your land will be one which is desired,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.
13‘But, you’ve put Me down with your words,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
‘And then you dare to [come here and] ask:
‘How have we spoken against You?’
14‘By your saying:
‘Our service to God is in vain!’
‘And:
‘Although we have kept His instructions;
Before Him, we still must come begging!
15Therefore, we will bless foreign peoples,
As well as those who are breaking the Law…
And say that those who oppose God will live!’
16‘Yet, there are some who still council their neighbors
And speak of their fear of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
So the Lord will take notice and listen to this,
Then write [their names] in the scroll
Of those who show honor and still fear My Name.
17‘And in that Day, they’ll be Mine,’
‘…says the Almighty [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”…
‘I’ll prepare a procurement and set them aside
As a man [shows favor] to the son who [obeys].
18‘Then you’ll turn to look and you’ll see
The things that will happen to the sinners…
Yes, you’ll see what happens to those who serve God
And to those who prefer not to serve Him.’
4
1‘Look! The Day is about to arrive
When they’ll be consumed in an oven…
I’ll blaze against their arrogance and evil…
In that day, they’ll be burned up like stubble,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies…
‘No way will a branch or a root still remain!
2‘But upon those who still fear My Name,
The sun of righteousness will shine,
And healing [will follow on] its wings.
Then you’ll come here and leap like young calves
That have been spared from the stock pens.
3‘And on the lawless, you’ll trample…
They’ll be like ashes under your feet
In the Day that I have prepared,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.
4‘Remember the Laws of My servant Moses…
Those that I gave him in that dry place,
As well as the orders and decisions
That I gave to IsraEl through him!
5'{Look!} I’ll send EliJah, the Prophet
Before the Great Day of the Lord.
6He’ll restore the hearts of fathers to sons,
And the hearts of men to their neighbors…
So I won’t have to strike the whole land.’
Public Domain
This particular version of the translated text is public domain.
It will soon be replaced with a significantly updated version which will be freely available under a Creative Commons license.