2“I have loved you,”1:2 Dt 4:37; 7:6–8; 10:14–15; Neh 13:26; Ps 78:68 says the Lord.

3but I hated Esau.1:3 Gn 25:23; Rm 9:10–13 I turned his mountains into a wasteland, and gave his inheritance to the desert jackals.”1:3 Is 34:5–17; Jr 49:7–22; Ezk 35:1–15

4Though Edom says, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild1:4 Or will return and build the ruins,” the Lord of Armies says this: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called a wicked country1:4 Mal 3:12,15 and the people the Lord has cursed1:4 Or Lord is angry with forever.1:4 Is 34:5–17; Jr 49:17–18; Mal 1:14; 2:2; 3:9; 4:6

5Your own eyes will see this, and you yourselves will say, ‘The Lord is great, even beyond1:5 Or great over the borders of Israel.’1:5 Ps 67:1–7; 72:8–11; Ezk 39:7; Zch 12:1–10; Rm 11:11–12

7“By presenting defiled food on my altar.”

8“When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong?1:8 Lv 22:18–25; Dt 15:21; 17:1 Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord of Armies.

9“And now plead for God’s favor. Will he be gracious to us?1:9 1Sm 13:12; Pr 19:6; Dn 9:13 Since this has come from your hands, will he show any of you favor?” 1:9 Nm 6:25–26 asks the Lord of Armies.

10“I wish one of you would shut the temple doors,1:10 2Ch 28:24 so that you would no longer kindle a useless fire on my altar!1:10 Pr 1:17; Is 1:14 I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Armies, “and I will accept1:10 Lv 22:19–21 no offering from your hands.1:10 Is 1:10–17; Jr 6:20; Am 5:21–23; Mc 6:6–8

11“My name will be great among the nations,1:11 Ps 113:3; Is 45:6; 59:19; Mt 8:11 from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense1:11 Or Burnt offerings and pure offerings will be presented in my name in every place because my name will be great among the nations,”1:11 Or is great... are presented... is great says the Lord of Armies.

12“But you are profaning it1:12 Lv 22:2; Ezk 13:19; 22:26; 36:20–23; Mal 2:10–11 when you say, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.’

13You also say, ‘Look, what a nuisance! ’ And you scorn1:13 Lit blow at it,”1:13 Alt Hb tradition reads me1:13 1Sm 2:29 says the Lord of Armies. “You bring stolen,1:13 Or injured1:13 2Sm 24:24 lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?” asks the Lord.

14“The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord.1:14 Lv 22:18–25; 27:9–10; Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21–23; Ec 5:4–7 For I am a great King,” says the Lord of Armies, “and my name will be feared among the nations.