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].
“Ngeqiniso luyeza usuku; luzavutha njengesithando somlilo. Zonke iziqholo njalo zonke izixhwali zizakuba ngamabibi, njalo lolosuku oluzayo luzabathungela ngomlilo,” kutsho uThixo uSomandla. “Kakuyikusala mpande loba gatsha kubo.
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].
Kodwa lina elilesabayo ibizo lami, ilanga lokulunga lizaphuma lilokusiliswa emaphikweni alo. Njalo lizaphuma liqolotshe njengamathole evulelwe esibayeni sawo.
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.
Lapho-ke lizabanyathezela phansi ababi; bazakuba ngumlotha ngaphansi kwezinyawo zenu ngosuku lolo engizazenza ngalo lezizinto,” kutsho uThixo uSomandla.
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.]
“Khumbulani umthetho wenceku yami uMosi, izimiso kanye lemithetho engamupha yona eHorebhi ingeyawo wonke ama-Israyeli.
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].
Khangelani, ngizalithumela umphrofethi u-Elija lungakafiki lolosuku olukhulu olwesabekayo lukaThixo.
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].”
Uzaguqulela inhliziyo zaboyise ebantwaneni babo, lezinhliziyo zabantwana ziguqukele kuboyise; kungenjalo ngizakuza ngilitshaye ilizwe ngesiqalekiso.”
