Malachi 3:1-2,5-7,12,17; 4:4-6 (Vespers Forerunner)

1

“Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the LORD of hosts.

2

“ But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap.

5

And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien— Because they do not fear Me,” Says the LORD of hosts.

6

“ For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

7

Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. “ But you said, ‘ In what way shall we return?’

12

And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.

17

“ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “ On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.”

4

“ Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.

5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

6

And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”