Study Desk

Once more I am going to let a worthless nobody rule the land—one who won't care for the strays or search for the young or heal the sick or feed the healthy. He will just dine on the fattest sheep, leaving nothing but a few bones."

This is a message from the Lord about Israel: I am the Lord ! I stretched out the heavens; I put the earth on its foundations and gave breath to humans.

Then every clan in Judah will realize that I, the Lord All-Powerful, am their God, and that I am the source of their strength.

I am determined to wipe out every nation that attacks Jerusalem.

I am Malachi. And this is the message that the Lord gave me for Israel.

I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests. Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, "How did we insult you?"

I am the Lord God All-Powerful, and you had better try to please me. You have sinned. Now see if I will have mercy on any of you.

I wish someone would lock the doors of my temple, so you would stop wasting time building fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you priests, and I refuse to accept any more of your offerings.

Instead of offering the acceptable animals you have promised, you bring me those that are unhealthy. I will punish you for this, because I am the great King, the Lord All-Powerful, and I am worshiped by nations everywhere.

I am telling you this, so I can continue to keep my agreement with your ancestor Levi.

Descendants of Jacob, I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I never change. That's why you haven't been wiped out,

I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.

I baptize you with water so that you will give up your sins. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him."

I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves.

In the Scriptures God says about him, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to get things ready for you."

At that moment Jesus said: My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people.

Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.

At once, Jesus said to them, "Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid."

Jesus then said: Don't any of you know what I am talking about by now?