9. You are being cursed with a curse,and you, the entire nation, are robbing me.
10. Bring the whole tenth-part to the storage house so there might be food in my house.Please test me in this,says the Lord of heavenly forces.See whether I do not open all the windows of the heavens for youand empty out a blessing until there is enough.
11. I will threaten the one who wants to devour youso that it doesn’t spoil the fruit of your fertile land,and so that the vine doesn’t abort its fruit in your field,says the Lord of heavenly forces.
12. All the nations will consider you fortunate,for you will be a desirable land,says the Lord of heavenly forces.
13. You have spoken harshly about me,says the Lord;but you say,"What have we spoken about you?"
14. You said,"Serving God is useless.What do we gain by keeping his obligationor by walking around as mournersbefore the Lord of heavenly forces?
15. So now we consider the arrogant fortunate.Moreover, those doing evil are built up;they test God and escape."
16. Then those revering the Lord,each and every one, spoke among themselves.The Lord paid attention and listened to them.Then a scroll of remembrance was written before the Lordabout those revering the Lord,the ones meditating on his name.
17. On the day that I am preparing,says the Lord of heavenly forces,they will be my special possession.I will spare them just as parents spare a child who serves them.
18. You will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked,between those serving God and those not serving him.