The Book of the Prophet Malachi 3 We must not rob the Lord nor doubt His providence and justice

 The Book of the Prophet Malachi 3

We must not rob the Lord nor doubt His providence and justice

7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

8 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings.

9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your ground, and the vine in the field will not fail to bear fruit for you, says the Lord of hosts.

12 And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts.

13 Your words have been harsh against me, says the Lord; but you say, “What have we spoken against you?”

14 You say, “It is useless to serve God; what profit has it we have kept his precepts, and walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?”

15 Now therefore, we consider the proud to be blessed; those who commit wickedness are also built up; yes, they test the Lord, and escape.

16 Then those who fear the Lord speak to one another; and the Lord listens and hears; And a book of remembrance is written before him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on his name.

17 “They will be mine,” declares the Lord Almighty, “on the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion on his son who serves him.”

18 “Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”