How we cite our quotes:
Quote #10
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.… Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. (NRSV Malachi 3:1, 4)
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. …
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. (KJV Malachi 3:1-4)
Although the temple gets rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, Malachi continues to affirm the central importance of words and actions consistent with the principles embodied in religious ritual. It’s another step closer toward creating the culture of modern Judaism, in which sacrificing bulls has given way to the sacrifice of prayer and righteous living. And what better way to help the community make the transition by saying it’s a return to the good old days?