Dual Panel1Behold, I will send <07971> (8802) my messenger <04397>_, and he shall prepare <06437> (8765) the way <01870> before <06440> me: and the Lord <0113>_, whom ye seek <01245> (8764)_, shall suddenly <06597> come <0935> (8799) to his temple <01964>_, even the messenger <04397> of the covenant <01285>_, whom ye delight <02655> in: behold, he shall come <0935> (8804)_, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_.
2But who may abide <03557> (8772) the day <03117> of his coming <0935> (8800)_? and who shall stand <05975> (8802) when he appeareth <07200> (8736)_? for he [is] like a refiner's <06884> (8764) fire <0784>_, and like fullers <03526> (8764)_' soap <01287>_:
3And he shall sit <03427> (8804) [as] a refiner <06884> (8764) and purifier <02891> (8764) of silver <03701>_: and he shall purify <02891> (8765) the sons <01121> of Levi <03878>_, and purge <02212> (8765) them as gold <02091> and silver <03701>_, that they may offer <05066> (8688) unto the LORD <03068> an offering <04503> in righteousness <06666>_.
4Then shall the offering <04503> of Judah <03063> and Jerusalem <03389> be pleasant <06149> (8804) unto the LORD <03068>_, as in the days <03117> of old <05769>_, and as in former <06931> years <08141>_. {former: or, ancient}
5And I will come near <07126> (8804) to you to judgment <04941>_; and I will be a swift <04116> (8764) witness <05707> against the sorcerers <03784> (8764)_, and against the adulterers <05003> (8764)_, and against false <08267> swearers <07650> (8737)_, and against those that oppress <06231> (8802) the hireling <07916> in [his] wages <07939>_, the widow <0490>_, and the fatherless <03490>_, and that turn aside <05186> (8688) the stranger <01616> [from his right], and fear <03372> (8804) not me, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_. {oppress: or, defraud}
6For I [am] the LORD <03068>_, I change <08138> (8804) not; therefore ye sons <01121> of Jacob <03290> are not consumed <03615> (8804)_.
7Even from the days <03117> of your fathers <01> ye are gone away <05493> (8804) from mine ordinances <02706>_, and have not kept <08104> (8804) [them]. Return <07725> (8798) unto me, and I will return <07725> (8799) unto you, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_. But ye said <0559> (8804)_, Wherein shall we return <07725> (8799)_?
8Will a man <0120> rob <06906> (8799) God <0430>_? Yet ye have robbed <06906> (8802) me. But ye say <0559> (8804)_, Wherein have we robbed <06906> (8804) thee? In tithes <04643> and offerings <08641>_.
9Ye [are] cursed <0779> (8737) with a curse <03994>_: for ye have robbed <06906> (8802) me, [even] this whole nation <01471>_.
10Bring <0935> (8685) ye all the tithes <04643> into the storehouse <0214>_, that there may be meat <02964> in mine house <01004>_, and prove <0974> (8798) me now herewith <02063>_, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_, if I will not open <06605> (8799) you the windows <0699> of heaven <08064>_, and pour you out <07324> (8689) a blessing <01293>_, that [there shall] not [be room] enough <01767> [to receive it]. {pour...: Heb. empty out}
11And I will rebuke <01605> (8804) the devourer <0398> (8802) for your sakes, and he shall not destroy <07843> (8686) the fruits <06529> of your ground <0127>_; neither shall your vine <01612> cast her fruit <07921> (8762) before the time in the field <07704>_, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_. {destroy: Heb. corrupt}
12And all nations <01471> shall call you blessed <0833> (8765)_: for ye shall be a delightsome <02656> land <0776>_, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_.
13Your words <01697> have been stout <02388> (8804) against me, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068>_. Yet ye say <0559> (8804)_, What have we spoken <01696> (8738) [so much] against thee?
14Ye have said <0559> (8804)_, It [is] vain <07723> to serve <05647> (8800) God <0430>_: and what profit <01215> [is it] that we have kept <08104> (8804) his ordinance <04931>_, and that we have walked <01980> (8804) mournfully <06941> before <06440> the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_? {ordinance: Heb. observation} {mournfully: Heb. in black}
15And now we call <0833> (0) the proud <02086> happy <0833> (8764)_; yea, they that work <06213> (8802) wickedness <07564> are set up <01129> (8738)_; yea, [they that] tempt <0974> (8804) God <0430> are even delivered <04422> (8735)_. {are set up: Heb. are built}
16Then they that feared <03373> the LORD <03068> spake often <01696> (8738) one <0376> to another <07453>_: and the LORD <03068> hearkened <07181> (8686)_, and heard <08085> (8799) [it], and a book <05612> of remembrance <02146> was written <03789> (8735) before <06440> him for them that feared <03373> the LORD <03068>_, and that thought <02803> (8802) upon his name <08034>_.
17And they shall be mine, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>_, in that day <03117> when I make up <06213> (8802) my jewels <05459>_; and I will spare <02550> (8804) them, as a man <0376> spareth <02550> (8799) his own son <01121> that serveth <05647> (8802) him. {jewels: or, special treasure}
18Then shall ye return <07725> (8804)_, and discern <07200> (8804) between the righteous <06662> and the wicked <07563>_, between him that serveth <05647> (8802) God <0430> and him that serveth <05647> (8804) him not.