Parallel Verses
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee? 14 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? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.
Cross References
Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted,'say they , and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Zephaniah 1:12
And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with lamps; and I will punish the men that are settled on their lees, that say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Job 21:14-15
And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Job 22:17
Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?
Job 34:9
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.
Job 35:3
That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? And , What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?
Psalm 73:8-13
They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.
Joel 2:12
Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Zechariah 7:3-6
and to speak unto the priests of the house of Jehovah of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
James 4:9
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.