Parallel Verses
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 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?
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 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 "You have criticized me sharply," says the Lord, "but you ask, 'How have we criticized you?' 14 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? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be happy; indeed, those who practice evil are successful. In fact, those who challenge God escape!'"
Cross References
Isaiah 58:3
They lament, 'Why don't you notice when we fast? Why don't you pay attention when we humble ourselves?' Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers.
Zephaniah 1:12
At that time I will search through Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish the people who are entrenched in their sin, those who think to themselves, 'The Lord neither rewards nor punishes.'
Job 21:14-15
So they say to God, 'Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.
Job 22:17
They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?'
Job 34:9
For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.'
Job 35:3
But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?'
Psalm 73:8-13
They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence.
Joel 2:12
"Yet even now," the Lord says, "return to me with all your heart -- with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments!"
Zechariah 7:3-6
by asking both the priests of the temple of the Lord who rules over all and the prophets, "Should we weep in the fifth month, fasting as we have done over the years?"
James 4:9
Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair.