Malachi 3:13-18 - The Righteous And The Wicked

¹³ “Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’

¹⁴ 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? ¹⁵ So now we call the arrogant happy and blessed. Evildoers are exalted and prosper; and when they test God, they escape [unpunished].’”

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord [with awe-filled reverence] spoke to one another; and the Lord paid attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who fear the Lord [with an attitude of reverence and respect] and who esteem His name. ¹⁷ “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on that day when I publicly recognize them and openly declare them to be My own possession [that is, My very special treasure]. And I will have compassion on them and spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” ¹⁸ Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.