Malachi 2:16

Marriage Faithfulness and loyalty Conflict and reconciliation

¹⁴ Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

¹⁵ And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

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.

¹⁷ Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.
KJV: 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.
WEB: One who hates and divorces”, says the LORD, the God of Israel, “covers his garment with violence!” says the LORD of Armies. “Therefore pay attention to your spirit, that you don’t be unfaithful.
ASV: For I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith Jehovah of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
DARBY: (for I hate putting away, saith Jehovah the God of Israel;) and he covereth with violence his garment, saith Jehovah of hosts: take heed then to your spirit, that ye deal not unfaithfully.
BLB: “For He hates sending away,” says YHWH the God of Israel, “And he [who] has covered violence with his garment.” Says YHWH of Hosts. You⁺ must keep guard over your⁺ spirit and not act treacherously.

ÅB: For jeg hater skilsmisse, sier Herren, Israels Gud; for det er å dekke klærne sine med vold, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud. Så ta dere i vare, så dere ikke er troløse!
OTB: «For jeg hater skilsmisse,» sier Herren, Israels Gud, «og den som dekker sitt plagg med vold,» sier hærskarenes Gud. Så vær på vakt, og vær ikke utro.
B1930: For jeg hater skilsmisse, sier Herren, Israels Gud; en dekker derved sitt klædebon med vold, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud. Så ta da vare på eders liv og vær ikke troløse!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Matthew 19:3–9
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
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Matthew 5:31–32
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Read in context
Mark 10:2–12
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
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Luke 16:18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
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Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
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Deuteronomy 24:1–4
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
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Micah 7:2–3
The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
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Isaiah 59:6
Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
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