Dual Panel1“I am about to send <07971> my messenger <04397>, who will clear <06437> the way <01870> before <06440> me. Indeed, the Lord <0136> you <0859> are seeking <01245> will suddenly <06597> come <0935> to <0413> his temple <01964>, and the messenger <04397> of the covenant <01285>, whom <0834> you <0859> long for <02655>, is certainly <02009> coming <0935>,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>.
2Who <04310> can endure <03557> the day <03117> of his coming <0935>? Who <04310> can keep standing <05975> when he appears <07200>? For <03588> he <01931> will be like a refiner’s <06884> fire <0784>, like a launderer’s <03526> soap <01287>.
3He will act <03427> like a refiner <06884> and purifier <02891> of silver <03701> and will cleanse <02891> the Levites <03878> <01121> and refine <02212> them like gold <02091> and silver <03701>. Then they will offer <05066> the Lord <03068> a proper <06666> offering <04503>.
4The offerings <04503> of Judah <03063> and Jerusalem <03389> will be pleasing <06149> to the Lord <03068> as in former <05769> times <03117> and years <08141> past <06931>.
5“I will come <07126> to <0413> you in judgment <04941>. I will be <01961> quick <04116> to testify <05707> against those who practice divination <03784>, those who commit adultery <05003>, those who break <08267> promises <07650>, and those who exploit <06231> workers <07916>, widows <0490>, and orphans <03490>, who refuse to help <05186> the immigrant <01616> and in this way show they do not <03808> fear <03372> me,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>.
6“Since <03588>, I <0589>, the Lord <03068>, do not <03808> go back <08138> on my promises, you <0859>, sons <01121> of Jacob <03290>, have not <03808> perished <03615>.
7From the days <03117> of your ancestors <01> you have ignored <05493> my commandments <02706> and have not <03808> kept <08104> them! Return <07725> to <0413> me, and I will return <07725> to <0413> you,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>. “But you say <0559>, ‘How <04100> should we return <07725>?’
8Can a person <0120> rob <06906> God <0430>? You <0859> indeed <03588> are robbing <06906> me, but you say <0559>, ‘How <04100> are we robbing <06906> you?’ In tithes <04643> and contributions <08641>!
9You <0859> are bound <03994> for judgment <0779> because you <0859> are robbing <06906> me– this whole <03605> nation <01471> is guilty.
10“Bring <0935> the entire <03605> tithe <04643> into <0413> the storehouse <0214> <01004> so that there may be <01961> food <02964> in my temple <01004>. Test <0974> me in this <02063> matter,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>, “to see if <0518> I will not <03808> open <06605> for you the <0853> windows <0699> of heaven <08064> and pour out <07324> for you a blessing <01293> until <05704> there is no <01097> room <01767> for it all.
11Then I will stop <01605> the plague <0398> from ruining <07843> your crops <0127> <06529>, and the vine <01612> will not <03808> lose its fruit <07921> before harvest <07704>,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>.
12“All <03605> nations <01471> will call <0833> you happy, for <03588> you <0859> indeed will live in a delightful <02656> land <0776>,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>.
13“You have criticized <02388> me sharply,” says <0559> the Lord <03068>, “but you ask <0559>, ‘How <04100> have we criticized <01696> you?’
14You have said <0559>, ‘It is useless <07723> to serve <05647> God <0430>. How <04100> have we been helped <01215> by keeping <08104> his requirements <04931> and going <01980> about like mourners <06941> before <06440> the Lord <03069> who rules over all <06635>?
15So now <06258> we <0587> consider <0833> the arrogant <02086> to be happy <0833>; indeed <01571>, those who practice <06213> evil <07564> are successful <01129>. In fact <01571>, those who challenge <0974> God <0430> escape <04422>!’”
16Then <0227> those who respected <03372> the Lord <03068> spoke <01696> to one <0376> another <07453>, and the Lord <03068> took notice <07181>. A scroll <05612> was prepared <03789> before <06440> him in which were recorded the names <02146> of those who respected <03372> the Lord <03068> and honored <02803> his name <08034>.
17“They will belong to <01961> me,” says <0559> the Lord <03068> who rules over all <06635>, “in the day <03117> when <0834> I <0589> prepare <06213> my own special property <05459>. I will spare <02550> them as <0834> a man <0376> spares <02550> his son <01121> who serves <05647> him.
18Then once more you will see <07200> that I make a distinction <07725> between <0996> the righteous <06662> and the wicked <07563>, between <0996> the one who serves <05647> God <0430> and the one who <0834> does not <03808>.