Malachi 2:16 ““For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorc…”

Malachi 2:16

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

World English Bible

One who hates and divorces”, says the LORD, the God of Israel, “covers his garment with violence!” says the LORD of Armies. “Therefore pay attention to your spirit, that you don’t be unfaithful.

American Standard Version

For I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith Jehovah of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Geneva Bible 1599

If thou hatest her, put her away, sayeth the Lord God of Israel, yet he couereth the iniurie vnder his garment, saieth the Lord of hosts: therefore keepe your selues in your spirite, and transgresse not.

Darby Translation

(for I hate putting away, saith Jehovah the God of Israel;) and he covereth with violence his garment, saith Jehovah of hosts: take heed then to your spirit, that ye deal not unfaithfully.

Young's Literal Translation

For [I] hate sending away, said Jehovah, God of Israel, And He [who] hath covered violence with his clothing, said Jehovah of Hosts, And ye have been watchful over your spirit, And ye do not deal treacherously.

Bible in Basic English

For I am against the putting away of a wife, says the Lord, the God of Israel, and against him who is clothed with violent acts, says the Lord of armies: so give thought to your spirit and do not be false in your acts.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“the Lord”

Matthew 19:3–9 Mark 10:2–12 Luke 16:18 Deuteronomy 24:1–4 Isaiah 50:1 Matthew 5:31

Matthew 19:3–9 · BSB

Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

Mark 10:2–12 · BSB

Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired.

Luke 16:18 · BSB

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Deuteronomy 24:1–4 · BSB

If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.

Isaiah 50:1 · BSB

This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your…

Matthew 5:31 · BSB

It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

“covereth”

Proverbs 28:13 Isaiah 59:6 Isaiah 28:20 Micah 7:2 Micah 7:3

Proverbs 28:13 · BSB

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Isaiah 59:6 · BSB

Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Isaiah 28:20 · BSB

Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.

Micah 7:2 · BSB

The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.

Micah 7:3 · BSB

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

17You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Read Malachi 2