Malachi 2:16

If you would hold hatred, dismiss her, says the Lord, the God of Israel. But iniquity will cover his garment, says the Lord of hosts. Preserve your spirit, and do not be willing to despise.

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

In Context

15Did not One make her, and is she not the remainder of his spirit? And what does one seek, except offspring of God? So then, preserve your spirit, and do not despise the wife of your youth.

17You have wearied the Lord with your speeches, and you have said, “In what way, have we wearied him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and such as these please him,” or certainly, “Where is the God of judgment?”

Read all of Malachi 2

Cross References

Proverbs 5:20Why are you seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and why are you kept warm by the bosom of another?

Isaiah 28:20For the bed has been narrowed, so much so that one alone would fall out, and the short blanket is not able to cover two.

Isaiah 59:6Their weavings will not be for clothing, nor will they cover themselves with their handiwork. Their works are useless things, and the work of iniquity is in their hands.

Matthew 5:31And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.’

Mark 10:2And approaching, the Pharisees questioned him, testing him: “Is it lawful for a man to dismiss his wife?”

Matthew Henry on Malachi 2:11-17

Unlawful Marriages; Breach of the Marriage-covenant; Charge of Corrupt Principles. ( b. c. 400.) 10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. 12 The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this,… Read the whole commentary →

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