Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Ye have said, 'It is but lost labour, to serve God: What profit have we for keeping his commandments, and for walking humbly before the LORD of Hosts?
New American Standard Bible
You have said, ‘It is
King James Version
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Holman Bible
You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements
International Standard Version
You said, "It is futile to serve God,' and, "What did we get out of it when we carried out his requirements and went about like mourners in the presence of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies?'
A Conservative Version
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before LORD of hosts?
American Standard Version
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?
Amplified
You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God. What profit is it if we keep His ordinances, and walk around like mourners before the Lord of hosts?
Bible in Basic English
You have said, It is no use worshipping God: what profit have we had from keeping his orders, and going in clothing of sorrow before the Lord of armies?
Darby Translation
Ye say, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we keep his charge, and that we walk mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?
Julia Smith Translation
Ye said, Vanity to serve God: and what profit that we watched his watches, and that we went mourning from the face of Jehovah of armies?
King James 2000
You have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?
Lexham Expanded Bible
You have said, '[It is] useless to serve God! What [is the] gain if we keep his requirements, and if we walk as mourners {before} Yahweh of hosts?
Modern King James verseion
You have said, It is vain to serve God; and, What profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked as mourners before Jehovah of Hosts?
NET Bible
You have said, 'It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord who rules over all?
New Heart English Bible
You have said, 'It is vain to serve God;' and 'What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
The Emphasized Bible
Ye have said, Vain is it to serve God, - and, What profit when we have kept his charge, or when we have walked gloomily before Yahweh of hosts?
Webster
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
World English Bible
You have said, 'It is vain to serve God;' and 'What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of Armies?
Youngs Literal Translation
Ye have said, 'A vain thing to serve God! And what gain when we kept His charge? And when we have gone in black, Because of Jehovah of Hosts?
Themes
Condescension of God » Expostulates with backsliding israel
Malachi » Reproves God's people for their impiety
Murmuring » Against » The service of God
Interlinear
'elohiym
Shamar
Mishmereth
Word Count of 20 Translations in Malachi 3:14
Verse Info
Context Readings
An Overflowing Blessing
13 Ye speak hard words against me, sayeth the LORD. And yet ye say, 'What have we spoken against thee?' 14 Ye have said, 'It is but lost labour, to serve God: What profit have we for keeping his commandments, and for walking humbly before the LORD of Hosts? 15 Therefore may we say, that the proud are happy, and that they which deal with ungodliness, are set up: for they tempt God and yet escape.'
Cross References
Isaiah 58:3
They seek of me righteous judgments, and will draw nigh unto God. Why have we fasted and thou hast not looked upon it? Have humbled our souls, and thou wouldest not wit it?
Zephaniah 1:12
At the same time will I seek through Jerusalem with lanterns, and visit them that continue in their dregs, and say in their hearts, "Tush, the LORD will do neither good nor evil."
Job 21:14-15
They say unto God, 'Go from us: we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
Job 22:17
which said unto God, 'Go from us.' And what did the Almighty do with them?
Job 34:9
For he sayeth, 'Though a man be good, yet is he naught before God.'
Job 35:3
For thou sayest, 'What advantage will it be unto thee, and what profit shall thou have of my sin?'
Psalm 73:8-13
They corrupt others, and speak blasphemies maliciously; proud and presumptuous are their words.
Joel 2:12
And now therefore saith the LORD: Turn to me with all your hearts, in fasting and lamentation.
Zechariah 7:3-6
and that they should say unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of Hosts, and to the prophets, "Should I weep in the fifth month, and abstain, as I have done now certain years?"
James 4:9
Suffer afflictions: sorrow ye and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.