Malachi 3:18
What does Malachi 3:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Malachi 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Malachi 3:18 means
This concluding verse of the chapter offers a final, definitive promise of divine discernment. God assures that a time will come when His people, and indeed all observers, "shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked." No longer will there be confusion or cynicism regarding God's justice, as was expressed in verses 14-15. The clear distinction will be made "between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." This prophecy points to a future day when God's justice will be undeniably manifest, removing all doubt about His perfect judgment and the ultimate reward for those who serve Him faithfully, in contrast to the fate of the ungodly.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then you will again see how the upright man is different from the sinner, and the servant of God from him who is not.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And ye have turned back and considered, Between the righteous and the wicked, Between the servant of God and him who is not His servant.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you shall return, and shall see the difference between the just and the wicked: and between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And ye shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that servethGod and him that serveth him not.
Context
This concluding verse serves as the definitive outcome of the entire chapter's themes of judgment and purification, especially reinforcing the promises made to the faithful remnant in verses 16-17. It promises a future day of clear, undeniable distinction, directly addressing and resolving the cynical complaints of verses 13-15. This final declaration sets the stage for the full revelation of the Day of the Lord in the subsequent, final chapter of Malachi.
v.17And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
v.18This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joel 2:14
Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?
- John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
- Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
- Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve,
- Jeremiah 12:15
And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
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