Malachi 2:14 net — Yet you ask,“Why?” The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom yo…

NET Bible

"Yet you ask,“Why?” The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law."

— Malachi 2:14, NET Bible

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Malachi 2:14 in Other Translations

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Malachi 2 — Context

11

Judah has become disloyal, and unspeakable sins have been committed in Israel and Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the holy things that the LORD loves and has turned to a foreign god!

12

May the LORD cut off from the community of Jacob every last person who does this, as well as the person who presents improper offerings to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies!

13

You also do this: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears as you weep and groan, because he no longer pays any attention to the offering nor accepts it favorably from you.

14

Yet you ask,“Why?” The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law.

15

No one who has even a small portion of the Spirit in him does this. What did our ancestor do when seeking a child from God? Be attentive, then, to your own spirit, for one should not be disloyal to the wife he took in his youth.

16

“I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel,“and the one who is guilty of violence,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.“Pay attention to your conscience, and do not be unfaithful.”

17

Resistance to the Lord through Self-deceit You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say,“How have we wearied him?” Because you say,“Everyone who does evil is good in the LORD’s opinion, and he delights in them,” or“Where is the God of justice?”

Malachi 2:14 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Malachi 2:14 say?
Malachi 2:14 in the NET Bible reads: “Yet you ask,“Why?” The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law.”
Where is Malachi 2:14 in the Bible?
Malachi 2:14 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Malachi, chapter 2, verse 14.
Who wrote Malachi?
Malachi is traditionally attributed to Malachi. It was written c. 430 BC.
What is the book of Malachi about?
Malachi closes the Old Testament with a series of disputations: God says one thing, the people say another, and God answers. He confronts faithless priests, broken marriages, and stingy worship, then promises a coming messenger who will prepare the way of the LORD.
What are the major themes of Malachi?
Malachi explores themes including Covenant Faithfulness, Worship, Tithing, Marriage, Coming Messenger. These themes shape the meaning and context of Malachi 2:14.
What translation should I read Malachi 2:14 in?
Malachi 2:14 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Malachi 2:14?
Malachi 2:14 reads (NET): “Yet you ask,“Why?” The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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