Parallel Verses
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?
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?
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 strong against me, says the Lord. And still you say, What have we said against you? 14 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? 15 And now to us the men of pride seem happy; yes, the evil-doers are doing well; they put God to the test and are safe.
Cross References
Isaiah 58:3
They say, Why have we kept ourselves from food, and you do not see it? why have we kept ourselves from pleasure, and you take no note of it? If, in the days when you keep from food, you take the chance to do your business, and get in your debts;
Zephaniah 1:12
And it will come about at that time, that I will go searching through Jerusalem with lights; and I will send punishment on the men who have become like wine stored over-long, who say to themselves, The Lord will not do good and will not do evil.
Job 21:14-15
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
Job 22:17
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
Job 34:9
For he has said, It is no profit to a man to take delight in God.
Job 35:3
What profit is it to me, and how am I better off than if I had done wrong?
Psalm 73:8-13
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
Joel 2:12
But even now, says the Lord, come back to me with all your heart, keeping from food, with weeping and with sorrow:
Zechariah 7:3-6
And to say to the priests of the house of the Lord of armies and to the prophets, Am I to go on weeping in the fifth month, separating myself as I have done in past years?
James 4:9
Be troubled, with sorrow and weeping; let your laughing be turned to sorrow and your joy to grief.