¹ This is the message from God to Israel through Malachi. ² "I love you," says the Lord. But you ask, "How have you loved us?" God answers, "I chose you over your brother Esau. I blessed your people, but I rejected Esau and his descendants." ³ I made Esau’s land a wasteland, while I blessed you." ⁴ Even though Esau’s descendants have tried to rebuild, I will destroy their land. People will call it the 'wicked land.'" ⁵ "You will see this and praise Me. You will say, 'God is great, even beyond Israel.'" ⁶ A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. If I am your Father and Master, why don’t you honor and respect Me? You dishonor My name." ⁷ "You bring me unclean food and blind animals as sacrifices. Do you think I will accept them?" ⁸ You give me animals that are stolen, sick, or lame. Why don’t you try offering that to your governor and see if he will accept it?" ⁹ "I wish someone would shut the doors so you would stop offering these worthless sacrifices. I am not pleased with you. I will not accept your offerings." ¹⁰ From the east to the west, My name will be honored. But you have profaned it by offering bad sacrifices." ¹¹ "My name will be honored among the nations, and everywhere people will offer pure gifts to Me." ¹² "But you dishonor Me by offering polluted food on My altar. You say, 'What’s so wrong with that?'" ¹³ You are tired of serving Me, and you complain about the things you offer. You bring stolen animals and animals that are lame or sick. You offer them to Me—why should I accept that from you?" ¹⁴ "Cursed is the one who cheats and offers a lame or sick animal to God. I am a great King, and My name is to be feared among the nations."