3 He will act like a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify Levi’s sons and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will bring acceptable offerings to the Lord.
4 The offerings from Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the past, as in years long ago.
5 “I will come to judge you. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, lying witnesses, and those who cheat workers out of their wages and oppress widows and orphans. I will also testify against those who deprive foreigners of their rights. None of them fear me,” says the Lord of Armies.
6 “I, the Lord, never change. That is why you descendants of Jacob haven’t been destroyed yet.
7 Since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my laws and have not followed them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Armies.“But you ask, ‘How can we return?’
8 “Can a person cheat God? Yet, you are cheating me!“But you ask, ‘How are we cheating you?’“When ⌊you don’t bring⌋ a tenth of your income and other contributions.
9 So a curse is on you because the whole nation is cheating me!