4. I am telling you this, so I can continue to keep my agreement with your ancestor Levi.
5. I blessed him with a full life, as I had promised, and he kept his part of the agreement by honouring me and respecting my name.
6. He taught the truth and never told lies, and he led a lot of people to turn from sin, because he obeyed me and lived right.
7. You priests should be eager to spread knowledge, and everyone should come to you for instruction, because you speak for me, the Lord All-Powerful.
8. But you have turned your backs on me. Your teachings have led others to do sinful things, and you have broken the agreement I made with your ancestor Levi.
9. So I caused everyone to hate and despise you, because you disobeyed me and failed to treat all people alike.
10. Don't you know that we all have God as our Father? Didn't the one God create each of us? Then why do you cheat each other by breaking the agreement God made with your ancestors?
11. You people in Judah and Jerusalem have been unfaithful to the Lord. You have disgraced the temple that he loves, and you have committed the disgusting sin of worshipping other gods.
12. I pray that the Lord will no longer let those who are guilty belong to his people, even if they eagerly decide to offer the Lord a gift.