4 Edom may say, "We are beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins";but the Lord of heavenly forces proclaims:They may build, but I will tear them down.They will call themselves a wicked territory,the people against whom the Lord rages forever.
5 Your eyes will see it and you will say,"May the Lord be great beyond the borders of Israel."
6 A son honors a father,and a servant honors his master.But if I’m a father, where is my honor?Or if I’m a master, where is my respect?says the Lord of heavenly forcesto you priests who despise my name.So you say, "How have we despised your name?"
7 By approaching my altar with polluted food.But you say, "How have we polluted it?"When you say, "The table of the Lord can be despised."
8 If you bring a blind animal to sacrifice, isn’t that evil?If you bring a lame or sick one, isn’t that evil?Would you bring it to your governor?Would he be pleased with it or accept you?says the Lord of heavenly forces.
9 So now ask God to be gracious to us.After what you have done, will he accept you?says the Lord of heavenly forces.
10 Who among you will shut the doors of the templeso that you don’t burn something on my altar in vain?I take no delight in you,says the Lord of heavenly forces.I won’t accept a grain offering from your hand.