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Malachi 1:12
ESV But you profane it when you say that the Lord 's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.
NIV "But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’
NASB But you are profaning it by your saying, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’
CSB "But you are profaning it when you say: ‘The Lord’s table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.’
NLT But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.
KJV But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
NKJV “But you profane it, In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’

What does Malachi 1:12 mean?

This passage of Malachi is a condemnation of Israel's priests, for failing to bring the proper sacrifices to God. As seen in verse 10, God would prefer to see no offerings rather than apathetic or impure ones. The actions of the priests were simply the natural outcome of their attitudes, which verse 12 makes clear. Prior verses focused on the priests' failures in rituals. This passage describes their failures in relationship to God.

The attitude of the priests itself is a form of disrespect to God. Even they know the correct behavior, they see proper sacrifice as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). The effect of their mindset is described using the Hebrew word mehal'lehim', which implies a "staining," "wounding," or "polluting." In other words, God is not only being insulted, His reputation is being damaged among other people. This is as true today as it was then—when the world sees a so-called believer treating God with contempt, it demeans Him.

The New Testament will echo this error in more specific terms in James 4:17. Those who know what is right to do, and don't do it, are sinning as much as those who purposefully do evil.
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