1 The¹ burden of the word of the Lord to Israel² by Malachi. ‡

2 “I^a have loved you,” says the Lord.
“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’
Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”
Says the Lord.
“Yet ^bJacob I have loved; ‡

4 Even though Edom has said,
“We have been impoverished,
But we will return and build the desolate places,” Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“They may build, but I will ^athrow down;
They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness,
And the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever. ‡

5 Your eyes shall see,
And you shall say,
^a‘The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’ ‡