Malachi 1:1-8

The oracle (burdensome message) of the word of the LORD to Israel through [My messenger] Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How and in what way have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); but [in comparison with My love for Jacob] I have hated Esau (Edom), and I have made his mountains a wasteland, and have given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.” [Rom 9:13, 16] Though [impoverished] Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins.” Thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the Wicked Territory, the people against whom the LORD is indignant forever.” Your own eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD is great and shall be magnified beyond the border of Israel!” [Is 34; 63:1-6; Jer 49:7-22; Ezek 25:12-14; Obad 1] “ ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear and respect due Me?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. But you say, ‘How and in what way have we despised Your name?’ You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By thinking that the table of the LORD is contemptible and may be despised. When you [priests] present the blind [animals] for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and the sick, is it not evil? Offer such a thing [as a blind or lame or sick animal] to your governor [as a gift or as payment for your taxes]. Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you graciously?” says the LORD of hosts.