Malachi 2:8

6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

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?

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.
KJV
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
WEB
But you have turned away from the path. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Armies.
ASV
But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.
DARBY
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.
BLB
And you⁺ have turned aside from the way, you⁺ have caused many to stumble by [your] instruction; you⁺ have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says YHWH of Hosts.
ÅB
Men dere har veket av fra veien og har fått mange til å støte an mot loven; dere har fordervet Levi-pakten, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
OTB
Men dere har vendt dere bort fra veien og ved deres undervisning har fått mange til å snuble; dere har brutt pakten med Levi,» sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
B1930
Men I har veket av fra veien og har fått mange til å støte an mot loven; I har fordervet Levi-pakten, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Nehemiah 13:29

    Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 18:15

    Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 17:5

    Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

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  • Ezekiel 44:10

    And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.

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  • Isaiah 30:11

    Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

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  • Malachi 2:5

    My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 2:17

    Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 59:13

    In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

    Read in context