Malachi 4

The great day when God will judge people

1‘The great day when I come to judge people will certainly happen. Punishment will come like the great fire of a hot oven. It will destroy all the proud people who do evil things. It will completely destroy them, like a fire that destroys dry grass. Nothing will remain.’ That is what the Lord Almighty says.

2‘But it will be different for you who respect my name. My power to make you well again will come to you. It will be like the sun that rises to shine on you. When that happens, you will be very happy. You will jump up and down like young cows when someone lets them go free.

3Then you will walk over the wicked people. They will be like ashes under your feet. That will happen on the day when I do these things.’ That is what the Lord Almighty says.

4‘Remember the rules that I gave to my servant Moses at Sinai mountain. Those rules and laws were for all the Israelites to obey.

5Look! I will send my prophet Elijah to you. He will come before that great day of the Lord arrives. That will be a day that makes people afraid.

6He will speak my message, so that fathers and their children return together to me. Then I will not have to come and bring punishment on the land.’