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15 But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate [a]divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong and violence,” says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore keep watch on your spirit, so that you do not deal treacherously [with your wife].”

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,” or [by asking], “Where is the God of justice?”

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Footnotes

  1. Malachi 2:16 I.e. unwarranted divorce. Conditions for divorce are outlined. See Deut 24:1-4; Ezra 10:10-19; Matt 5:31, 32; 19:3-12; 1 Cor 7:10-16.

15 Has not the one God made you?(A) You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.[a](B) So be on your guard,(C) and do not be unfaithful(D) to the wife of your youth.

16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,(E)” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”[b](F) says the Lord Almighty.

So be on your guard,(G) and do not be unfaithful.

Breaking Covenant Through Injustice

17 You have wearied(H) the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.(I)

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased(J) with them” or “Where is the God of justice?(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Malachi 2:15 The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain.
  2. Malachi 2:16 Or “I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,”