"Judahhas dealttreacherously,and an abominationhas been committedin Israeland in Jerusalem;for Judahhas profanedthe sanctuaryof the LORDwhichHe lovesand has marriedthe daughterof a foreigngod.
Shecaniahthe sonof Jehiel,one of the sonsof Elam,saidto Ezra,"We have beenunfaithfulto our Godand have marriedforeignwomenfrom the peoplesof the land;yet nowthereis hopefor Israelin spiteof this.
So nowdo not giveyour daughtersto their sonsnortaketheir daughtersto your sons,and neverseektheir peaceor their prosperity,that you may be strongand eatthe good[things] of the landand leave[it] as an inheritanceto your sonsforever.'
They joinedthemselves also to Baal-peor,And atesacrificesoffered to the dead.
"Israelwas holyto the LORD,The firstof His harvest.Allwho ateof it becameguilty;Evilcameupon them," declaresthe LORD.'"
"Yetin spite of allthisher treacheroussisterJudahdid not returnto Me with allher heart,but ratherin deception,"declaresthe LORD.
then comeand standbeforeMe in thishouse,whichis calledby My name,and say,'We are delivered!'--that you may doalltheseabominations?
he lends[money] on interestand takesincrease;will he live?He will not live!He has committedalltheseabominations,he will surelybe putto death;his bloodwill be on his own head.
"Onehas committedabominationwith his neighbor'swifeand anotherhas lewdlydefiledhis daughter-in-law.And anotherin you has humbledhis sister,his father'sdaughter.
But like Adamthey have transgressedthe covenant;Therethey have dealttreacherouslyagainst Me.
Thus you are to be holyto Me, for I the LORDam holy;and I have setyou apartfrom the peoplesto be Mine.
The oracleof the wordof the LORDto IsraelthroughMalachi.
"For you are a holypeopleto the LORDyour God,and the LORDhas chosenyou to be a peoplefor His own possessionout of allthe peopleswhoare on the faceof the earth.
"But for the cowardlyand unbelievingand abominableand murderersand immoral personsand sorcerersand idolatersand allliars,their part[will be] in the lakethat burnswith fireand brimstone,whichis the seconddeath."
and they tooktheir daughtersfor themselves as wives,and gavetheir own daughtersto their sons,and servedtheir gods.
