1. And now, priests, this commandment is for you:If you do not listen,
2. And if you do not take to heartgiving honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts,I will send a curse upon youand your blessing I will curse.In fact, I have already cursed it,because you do not take it to heart.
3. I will rebuke your offspring;I will spread dung on your faces,Dung from your feasts,and will carry you to it.
4. You should know that I sent you this commandmentso that my covenant with Levi might endure,says the Lord of hosts.
5. My covenant with him was the life and peace which I gave him,and the fear he had for me,standing in awe of my name.
6. Reliable instruction was in his mouth,no perversity was found upon his lips;He walked with me in integrity and uprightness,and turned many away from evil.
7. For a priest’s lips preserve knowledge,and instruction is to be sought from his mouth,because he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
8. But you have turned aside from the way,and have caused many to stumble by your instruction;You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,says the Lord of hosts.
9. I, therefore, have made you contemptibleand base before all the people,For you do not keep my ways,but show partiality in your instruction.