Maleachi 4
1 Want zie, de Dag gaat komen, die brandt als een oven! Al de opstandigen en boosdoeners worden als kaf, en de Dag, die gaat komen, steekt ze in brand, spreekt Jahweh der heirscharen, en laat er wortel noch tak van over.
[This is also what] the Commander of the armies of angels says: “There will be a time that I will judge [and punish] people. [When that happens, it will be] like [SIM] a very hot furnace. At that time, all the proud and wicked people will be burned up like [MET] stubble burns. They will be burned up completely, [like] roots and branches [and everything else on a tree burns completely in a very hot fire].
2 Maar voor u, die mijn Naam vreest, zal de zon der gerechtigheid opgaan, die genezing in haar wieken draagt. Als kalveren uit de stal zult gij uitgaan en dartelen,
But [as for] you who revere me [MTY], [the one who will save you will come to you] like [MET] [the sun shines in the morning, and enable you to] become righteous (OR, [do what is] righteous); he will restore you [and protect you like a bird protects its chicks] [MET] under its wings. [When he comes, ] you will [be very joyful], like [SIM] calves that go out from a barn into the pasture leaping [joyfully].
3 en de goddelozen vertrappen; want zij zullen als stof zijn onder de zolen van uw voeten, op de dag dat Ik handelend optreed, spreekt Jahweh der heirscharen!
At the time when I judge people, you will tread on wicked people as though [SIM] they were the dirt under your feet. [That is what I], the Commander of the armies of angels, promise.
4 Denkt dus aan de wet van Moses, mijn dienaar, wien Ik op de Horeb mijn bevelen en voorschriften voor heel Israël heb gegeven.
Be sure to obey the laws that I gave to Moses, who served me [well]. [Obey all] the commandments and regulations that I gave him on Sinai [Mountain], for all [you people of] Israel [to obey.]
5 Zie, Ik zal u den profeet Elias zenden, voordat de grote en ontzaglijke Dag van Jahweh komt.
Listen [to this: Some day] I will send to you the prophet Elijah. [He will arrive] before the great and dreadful/terrible day when [I], Yahweh, [will judge and punish people].
6 Hij zal het hart der vaders voor de kinderen winnen, het hart der kinderen voor hun vaders; anders kom Ik, en sla het land met de ban!
Because of what he [preaches], parents and their children will [love] each other [again] [IDM]. If that does not happen, I will come and curse your country [and destroy it].”
