You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. [Lev_26:14-17]
Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Master of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [Mal_2:2]
And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Master of hosts.
And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Master of hosts.
Your words have been strong and hard against Me, says the Master. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You?
You have said, It is useless to serve the Almighty, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Master of hosts?
And now we consider the proud and arrogant to be happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test the Almighty, they escape [unpunished.
Then those who feared the Master talked often one to another; and the Master listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Master and who thought on His name.
And they shall be Mine, says the Master of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.
