Malachi 2:6-16

6True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. 7“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. 8But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty.

9“So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Breaking Covenant Through Divorce 10Do we not all have one Father Or father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another? 11Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.

12As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD remove him from the tents of Jacob Or 12 May the Lord remove from the tents of Jacob anyone who gives testimony in behalf of the man who does this —even though he brings an offering to the LORD Almighty. 13Another thing you do: You flood the LORD ’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.

14You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

15Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

16“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” Or “I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.