Mal.3.1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.1
"Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple--yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
Mal.3.1
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.1
"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.1
"Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Mal.3.2
But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance? He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry.
Mal.3.2
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.
Mal.3.2
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap.
Mal.3.2
"But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes.
Mal.3.3
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Mal.3.3
He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for GOD, fit to present offerings of righteousness.
Mal.3.3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
Mal.3.3
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.
Mal.3.3
He will sit and judge like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.
Mal.3.4
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
Mal.3.4
Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to GOD, as they used to be in the years long ago.
Mal.3.4
and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
Mal.3.4
"Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years.
Mal.3.4
Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in former times.
Mal.3.5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.5
[JC] "Yes, I'm on my way to visit you with Judgment. I'll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless--anyone and everyone who doesn't honor me." A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. [JC]
Mal.3.5
"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.5
And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien-- Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.5
At that time I will put you on trial. I will be a ready witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.6
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Mal.3.6
"I am GOD-yes, I AM. I haven't changed. And because I haven't changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven't been destroyed.
Mal.3.6
"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Mal.3.6
"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
Mal.3.6
"I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed.
Mal.3.7
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Mal.3.7
You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven't done a thing I've told you. Return to me so I can return to you," says GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. "You ask, "But how do we return?'
Mal.3.7
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
Mal.3.7
Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, "In what way shall we return?'
Mal.3.7
Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my laws and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, `How can we return when we have never gone away?'
Mal.3.8
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal.3.8
"Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. "You ask, "How have we robbed you?'"The tithe and the offering--that's how!
Mal.3.8
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'"In tithes and offerings.
Mal.3.8
"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, "In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
Mal.3.8
"Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, `What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?'"You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
Mal.3.9
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Mal.3.9
And now you're under a curse--the whole lot of you--because you're robbing me.
Mal.3.9
You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me.
Mal.3.9
You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
Mal.3.9
You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.
Mal.3.10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal.3.10
Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.
Mal.3.10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Mal.3.10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Mal.3.10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!
Mal.3.11
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.11
For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." The Message of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
Mal.3.11
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.11
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;
Mal.3.11
Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.12
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.12
"You'll be voted "Happiest Nation.' You'll experience what it's like to be a country of grace." GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.
Mal.3.12
"Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.12
And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts.
Mal.3.12
"Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the LORD Almighty.
Mal.3.13
Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal.3.13
GOD says, "You have spoken hard, rude words to me. "You ask, "When did we ever do that?'
Mal.3.13
"You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'
Mal.3.13
"Your words have been harsh against Me," Says the LORD, "Yet you say, "What have we spoken against You?'
Mal.3.13
"You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD. "But you say, `What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?'
Mal.3.14
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal.3.14
"When you said, "It doesn't pay to serve God. What do we ever get out of it? When we did what he said and went around with long faces, serious about GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, what difference did it make?
Mal.3.14
"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?
Mal.3.14
You have said, "It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the LORD of hosts?
Mal.3.14
"You have said, `What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins?
Mal.3.15
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal.3.15
Those who take life into their own hands are the lucky ones. They break all the rules and get ahead anyway. They push God to the limit and get by with it.'"
Mal.3.15
But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'"
Mal.3.15
So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free."'
Mal.3.15
From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.'"
Mal.3.16
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal.3.16
Then those whose lives honored GOD got together and talked it over. GOD saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the GOD-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored GOD's name.
Mal.3.16
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
Mal.3.16
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.
Mal.3.16
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.
Mal.3.17
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal.3.17
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them.
Mal.3.17
"They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.
Mal.3.17
"They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."
Mal.3.17
"They will be my people," says the LORD Almighty. "On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child.
Mal.3.18
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Mal.3.18
Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving him.
Mal.3.18
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Mal.3.18
Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.
Mal.3.18
Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."
