Malachi 1

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

Nkɔmhyɛ nsɛm a Awurade nam Odiyifo 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,” sɛnea Awurade se ni. “Nanso mubisa se, ‘Wodɔɔ yɛn wɔ ɔkwan bɛn so?’” Na Awurade bua se, “Esau nyɛ Yakob nua ana? 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 matan Esau, mayɛ nʼasase mmepɔwmmepɔw no kesee, na nʼagyapade nso magyaw ama nweatam so nnompo.”

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 se, “Ɛwɔ mu sɛ wɔadwerɛw yɛn de, nanso yɛbɛsan asi mmubui no.” Nanso sɛɛ na Asafo Awurade nso se: “Wobesi nanso mebubu no. Wɔbɛfrɛ wɔn Amumɔyɛ Asase, nnipa a Awurade abufuw 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 behu na moaka se, ‘Awurade kɛseyɛ tra Israel ahye nyinaa!’

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 obu ma nʼagya, na ɔsomfo de nidi ma ne wura. Sɛ meyɛ Agya a, nidi a ɛsɛ sɛ wɔde ma me no wɔ he? Sɛ meyɛ Owura a, obu a ɛfata me no wɔ he?” Eyi na Asafo Awurade bisa. “Mo asɔfo, mo na mosɛe me din. “Na mubisa se, ‘Ɔkwan bɛn na yɛnam so asɛe 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 aduan a ho agu fi begu mʼafɔremuka so. “Afei mubisa se ‘Ɔkwan bɛn so na yɛafa agu wo ho fi?’ “Sɛ mokae se, Awurade pon ho yɛ aniwu nti.

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 afɔre a, ɛnyɛ mmusu? Sɛ mode mmoa a wɔyare anaa wɔyɛ mpakye bɔ afɔre a, ɛnyɛ mmusu? Ɛyɛ a, momfa akyɛde a ɛte saa no nkɔma mo amrado, na monhwɛ sɛ, nʼani bɛsɔ na wagye wo ato mu ana?” Nea Asafo Awurade se ni.

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 monsrɛ Onyankopɔn, na onhu yɛn mmɔbɔ. Sɛ afɔrebɔde sɛɛ fi mo nkyɛn a obegye mo ato mu ana?” 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 asɔre dan no apon mu, na obi ankɔsɔ ogya a ɛmfata wɔ mʼafɔremuka so! Mʼani nsɔ mo na merennye afɔrebɔde biara a efi mo nkyɛn,” sɛnea Asafo Awurade se ni.

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.

“Efi nea owia pue kosi nea owia kɔtɔ, me din bɛyɛ kɛse wɔ amanaman no mu. Baabiara, wɔde afɔrebɔde a ɛho tew ne nnuhuam bɛbrɛ me, efisɛ, me din bɛyɛ kɛse wɔ amanaman no mu,” sɛnea Asafo Awurade se ni.

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 se Awurade pon ho ntew. Na mubu so aduan nso animtiaa.

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 se, ‘Adesoa duruduru!’ Na muhua no animtiaabu kwan so,” sɛnea Asafo Awurade se ni. “Sɛ mode mmoa a wɔapirapira, wɔyɛ mpakye anaa wɔyareyare bɛbɔ afɔre ma me a, minso mu ana?” Eyi 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 osisifo a ɔwɔ odwennini a ɔfata wɔ ne nguankuw mu, na ɔhyɛ bɔ sɛ ɔde no bɛma nanso ɔde nea wadi dɛm na ɛbɔ afɔre ma Awurade. Meyɛ ɔhempɔn, na ɛsɛ sɛ wosuro me din wɔ amanaman mu,” sɛnea Asafo Awurade se ni.