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Verse
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Malachi 2:2
ESV If 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 the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
NIV If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,' says the LORD Almighty, 'I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
NASB If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,' says the Lord of armies, 'then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart.
CSB If you don't listen, and if you don't take it to heart to honor my name," says the Lord of Armies, "I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart.
NLT Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 'or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.
KJV If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

What does Malachi 2:2 mean?

The priests of Israel have been dishonoring God by offering impure sacrifices (Malachi 1:8) and by worshipping with bitter and lazy attitudes (Malachi 1:13). Just as these men should have known the proper forms of sacrifice (Leviticus 22:17–30), they also should have known the consequences of disobedience. The Law spelled out the suffering that would result when the people disobeyed (Deuteronomy 28:15–68). Here, God reiterates these threats to bring curses on those who dishonor Him.

The fact that Israel has been disobeying God means that these consequences have already been in effect. God's people should have recognized their own sin and seen their struggles as the results of their own choices. Sadly, instead, they blame God for their hardships and question His love for them (Malachi 1:2)!

The "blessings" being mentioned here probably include two aspects. The first is the spiritual ability of the priests to intercede for the people. While the Bible says that the prayers of righteous people are powerful (James 5:16), it stands to reason that the prayers of the unrighteous are ineffective (Jeremiah 14:10–12). In this case, God is actually threatening to turn the priests' attempts at blessing into curses. The other meaning of the "blessings" at risk is likely the income given to the spiritual leaders.
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