1. But now, this command is for you, priests:
2. If you don’t listen,or don’t intend to glorify my name,says the Lord of heavenly forces,then I will send a curse among you.I will curse your blessings,and I mean really curse them,because none of you intend to do it.
3. I am about to denounce your offspring;I will scatter feces on your faces,the feces of your festivals.Then I will lift you up to me,
4. and you will know that I have sent this command to youso that my covenant with Levi can continue to exist,says the Lord of heavenly forces.
5. My covenant with him involved life and peace, which I gave him,and also fear so that he honored me.He was in awe of my name.
6. True Instruction was in his mouth;injustice wasn’t found on his lips.He walked with me in peace and did the right thing;he made many turn from iniquity.
7. The lips of the priest should guard knowledge;everyone should seek Instruction from his mouth,for he is the messenger from the Lord of heavenly forces.
8. But you have turned from the path.You have caused many to stumble by your instruction.You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,says the Lord of heavenly forces.
9. Moreover, I have made you despised and humiliated in the view of all the people,since none of you keep my waysor show respect for Instruction.
10. Isn’t there one father for all of us,one God who created us?Why does everyone cheat each other to make the covenant of our ancestors impure?
11. Judah cheated—a detestable thing was done in Israel and Jerusalem.Judah made the Lord’s holy place impure, which God loved,and married the daughter of a foreign god.
12. May the Lord eliminate anyone who does so from the tents of Jacob,anyone awaking, testifying,and making an offering to the Lord of heavenly forces.
13. You should do this as well:cover the altar of the Lord with tears, weeping, and groaningbecause there is still no divine favor for your offering or favorable regardfor anything from your hand.