The Lord Rebukes the Priests
1 "And now,
1O priests,
2this command is for you.
2
3If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send
4the curse upon you and I will curse
5your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
3
Behold,
6I will rebuke your offspring, and
7spread dung on your faces, the
8dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.
4
So shall you know that I have sent
9this command to you, that
10my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts.
5
My covenant with him was one of life and
11peace, and I gave them to him.
12It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.
6
13True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he
14turned many from iniquity.
7
For
15the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8
But you have turned aside from the way.
16You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted
17the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts,
9
and so
18I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but
19show partiality in your instruction."