1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.^[a]

The Lord's Love for Israel

^2 (A)“I have loved you,” says the Lord. ^(B)But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau ^(C)Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet ^(D)I have loved Jacob

⁹ For this is what the promise said: ^(A)“About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but ^(B)also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of ^(C)him who calls— ¹² she was told, ^(D)“The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, ^(E)“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”