They said to God, ‘Leave us alone,’ and ‘What can the Almighty do to us?’
Malachi 3:14 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021 You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? Amplified Bible - Classic Edition You have said, It is useless to serve God, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Lord of hosts? American Standard Version (1901) Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? Common English Bible You said, “Serving God is useless. What do we gain by keeping his obligation or by walking around as mourners before the LORD of heavenly forces? Catholic Public Domain Version And you have said, "What have we spoken against you?" You have said, "He labors in vain who serves God," and, "What advantage is it that we have kept his precepts, and that we have walked sorrowfully in the sight of the Lord of hosts? Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And you have said: What have we spoken against thee? You have said: He laboureth in vain that serveth God, and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances, and that we have walked sorrowful before the Lord of hosts? |
They said to God, ‘Leave us alone,’ and ‘What can the Almighty do to us?’
If you ask, ‘What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers.
But they say, “It is no use! We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of our evil will.”
Keep your feet from going bare and your throat from thirst. But you said, “It is no use, for I have loved strangers, and after them I will go.”
But from the time we stopped making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out libations to her, we have lacked everything and have perished by the sword and by famine.”
They turn to that which does not profit; they have become like a defective bow; their officials shall fall by the sword because of the rage of their tongue. So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt.
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who settle like dregs in wine, those who say in their hearts, “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm.”
You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?”
Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.