6. Descendants of Jacob, I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I never change. That's why you haven't been wiped out,
7. even though you have ignored and disobeyed my laws ever since the time of your ancestors. But if you return to me, I will return to you.And yet you ask, “How can we return?”
8. You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, “How are we robbing you?”You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten per cent that belongs to me.
9. That's why your whole nation is under a curse.
10. I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten per cent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.
11. I will also stop locusts from destroying your crops and keeping your vineyards from producing.
12. Everyone of every nation will talk about how I have blessed you and about your wonderful land. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!
13. You have said horrible things about me, and yet you ask, “What have we said?”
14. Here is what you have said: “It's foolish to serve the Lord God All-Powerful. What do we get for obeying him and from going around looking sad?