Malachi 4
1 [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].
For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace, and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, shall be stubble. And the day that comes shall burn them up, says Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 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].
But to you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings, and ye shall go forth, and frolic as calves of the stall.
3 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.
And ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, says Jehovah of hosts.
4 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.]
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.
5 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].
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and fearful day of Jehovah comes.
6 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].”
And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
