Malachi 1:7
1:7 You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask, ‘How have we offended you?’ By treating the table 1 of the Lord as if it is of no importance!
Malachi 2:7
2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him 2 because he is the messenger of the Lord who rules over all.
Malachi 3:15
3:15 So now we consider the arrogant to be happy; indeed, those who practice evil are successful. 3 In fact, those who challenge 4 God escape!’”
1 sn The word table, here a synonym for “altar,” has overtones of covenant imagery in which a feast shared by the covenant partners was an important element (see Exod 24:11). It also draws attention to the analogy of sitting down at a common meal with the governor (v. 8).
2 tn Heb “from his mouth” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV).
3 tn Heb “built up” (so NASB); NIV, NRSV “prosper”; NLT “get rich.”
4 tn Or “test”; NRSV, CEV “put God to the test.”