Malachi 2:9 — Meaning and Application

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he {is} the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. {stumble at: or, fall in}

Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. {have been...: or, lifted up the face against: Heb. accepted faces}

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. {loved: or, ought to love}