1. A pronouncement. The Lord’s word to Israel through Malachi.
2. I have loved you, says the Lord;but you say, "How have you loved us?"Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?says the Lord.I loved Jacob,
3. but I rejected Esau.I turned Esau’s mountains into desolation,his inheritance into a wilderness for jackals.
4. Edom may say, "We are beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins";but the Lord of heavenly forces proclaims:They may build, but I will tear them down.They will call themselves a wicked territory,the people against whom the Lord rages forever.
5. Your eyes will see it and you will say,"May the Lord be great beyond the borders of Israel."
6. A son honors a father,and a servant honors his master.But if I’m a father, where is my honor?Or if I’m a master, where is my respect?says the Lord of heavenly forcesto you priests who despise my name.So you say, "How have we despised your name?"