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].
‘The day is coming that will burn like a furnace, and all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will burn them up,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘leaving 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 revere my name there will arise the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings, and you will run free like calves let out from their 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.
In the day when I act you will tread down the wicked, they will be as ashes under the soles of your feet,’ says the Lord 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 the law of Moses my servant, statutes and judgments which I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
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].
I am about to send to you Elijah the prophet, before the great and terrible day of the Lord 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].”
He will turn fathers’ hearts to their sons and sons’ hearts to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgement.’
