Malachi 1

1 A prophecy: This message came from the Lord concerning Israel through Malachi.

Nkɔmhyɛ nsɛm a Awurade nam Odiyifoɔ Malaki so de maa Israel.

2 I have loved you, says the Lord. But you ask, “How have you loved us?” Wasn't Esau Joseph's brother? the Lord responds. But I loved Joseph

“Madɔ mo,” sɛdeɛ Awurade seɛ nie. “Nanso, mobisa sɛ, ‘Wodɔɔ yɛn ɛkwan bɛn so?’” Na Awurade bua sɛ, “Esau nyɛ Yakob nua anaa? Nanso madɔ Yakob,

3 and despised Esau. I have made Esau's mountain homeland into a wasteland, and turned his inheritance into a desert for jackals.

na matane Esau, mayɛ nʼasase mmepɔ mmepɔ no bonini, na nʼagyapadeɛ nso madane no anweatam a nnompo te soɔ.”

4 The people of Edom may be saying: “We have been beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the Lord Almighty says, They may try and build, but I will tear down. They will be called a land of wickedness, and the people those who make the Lord angry forever.

Ebia Edom bɛka sɛ, “Ɛwom sɛ wɔadwera yɛn deɛ, nanso yɛbɛsane asi mmubuiɛ no bio.” Nanso, yei ne deɛ Asafo Awurade nso seɛ: “Wɔbɛsi nanso mɛbubu no. Wɔbɛfrɛ wɔn, Amumuyɛ Asase, nnipa a Awurade abufuo bɛtena wɔn so daa.

5 You will see this destruction with your own eyes, and you will say, “The Lord is great, even beyond the borders of Israel.”

Mode mo ankasa ani bɛhunu na moaka sɛ, ‘Awurade kɛseyɛ tra Israel ahyeɛ nyinaa so!’

6 A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. So if I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? says the Lord Almighty to you priests who show contempt for me. But you ask, “How have we shown contempt for you?”

“Ɔbabarima de obuo ma nʼagya, na ɔsomfoɔ de anidie ma ne wura. Sɛ meyɛ Agya a, anidie a ɛsɛ sɛ wɔde ma me no wɔ he? Sɛ meyɛ Owura a, obuo a ɛfata me no wɔ he?” Yei na Asafo Awurade bisa. Mo asɔfoɔ, mo na mosɛe me din. “Na mobisa sɛ, ‘Ɛkwan bɛn na yɛ nam so sɛee wo din?’

7 By making defiled offerings on my altar. Then you ask, “How have we defiled you?” By saying the Lord's table doesn't deserve respect.

“Mode aduane a ɛho agu fi bɛgu mʼafɔrebukyia so. “Afei mobisa sɛ ‘Ɛkwan bɛn so na yɛfa guu wo ho fi?’ “Sɛ mokaa sɛ, Awurade ɛpono ho yɛ aniwu enti.

8 When you offer a blind animal as a sacrifice, isn't that wrong? Or when you offer an animal that is crippled or sick, isn't that wrong? Would you give such gifts to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Would he be kind and show favor to you? asks the Lord Almighty.

Sɛ mode mmoa a wɔn ani abɔ bɔ afɔdeɛ a, ɛnyɛ mmusuo? Sɛ mode mmoa a wɔyare anaa wɔyɛ mpakye bɔ afɔdeɛ a, ɛnyɛ mmusuo? Ɛyɛ a, momfa akyɛdeɛ a ɛte saa no nkɔma mo amrado, na monhwɛ sɛ, nʼani bɛsɔ na wagye wo ato mu anaa?” Deɛ Asafo Awurade seɛ nie.

9 So why don't you try being kind to God, begging him to be merciful to you? But when you bring such offerings, why should he show favor to you? asks the Lord Almighty.

“Afei mo nsrɛ Onyankopɔn, na ɔnhunu yɛn mmɔbɔ. Sɛ afɔrebɔdeɛ sei firi mo nkyɛn a, ɔbɛgye mo ato mu anaa?” Asafo Awurade na ɔrebisa.

10 I really wish one of you would shut the Temple doors to stop you lighting pointless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept offerings from you.

“Anka mepɛ sɛ mo mu baako kɔtoto asɔredan no apono mu, na obi ankɔsɔ ogya a ɛmfata wɔ mʼafɔrebukyia so! Mʼani nsɔ mo, na merennye afɔrebɔdeɛ biara a ɛfiri mo nkyɛn,” sɛdeɛ Asafo Awurade seɛ nie.

11 I am honored by nations from the farthest east to the distant west; everywhere people make offerings to me of incense and pure sacrifices. I am honored among the nations, says the Lord Almighty.

“Ɛfiri deɛ owia pue kɔsi deɛ owia kɔtɔ, me din bɛyɛ kɛseɛ wɔ amanaman no mu. Baabiara, wɔde afɔrebɔdeɛ a ɛho teɛ ne nnuhwam bɛbrɛ me, ɛfiri sɛ, me din bɛyɛ kɛseɛ wɔ amanaman no mu,” sɛdeɛ Asafo Awurade seɛ nie.

12 But you dishonor me when you say the Lord's table doesn't deserve respect, and that its food can be treated with contempt.

“Nanso mode kasa fi ka sɛ Awurade ɛpono ho nte. Na mobu ɛso aduane nso animtia.

13 You say, “All this is too much trouble!” and you sniff scornfully at it, says the Lord Almighty. But when you bring animals that are stolen or crippled or sick and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept what you're giving? asks the Lord.

Na moka sɛ adesoa bɛn nie, na moyi mo ani firi mʼasɛm so,” sɛdeɛ Asafo Awurade seɛ nie. “Sɛ mode mmoa a wɔapirapira, a wɔyɛ mpakye anaa wɔyareyare bɛbɔ afɔdeɛ ma me a, me nsɔ mu anaa?” Yei na Awurade bisa.

14 Cursed are those who cheat by vowing to bring a ram as a sacrifice and then offers an imperfect animal to the Lord. For I am a great King, says the Lord Almighty, and I am respected among the nations!

“Nnome nka osisifoɔ a ɔwɔ odwennini a ɔfata wɔ ne nnwankuo mu, na ɔhyɛ bɔ sɛ ɔde no bɛma nanso ɔde deɛ wadi dɛm na ɛbɔ afɔdeɛ ma Awurade. Meyɛ ɔhempɔn, na ɛsɛ sɛ wɔsuro me din wɔ amanaman mu,” sɛdeɛ Asafo Awurade seɛ nie.