Malachi 3:15

Verse

So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.

And now to us the men of pride seem happy; yes, the evil-doers are doing well; they put God to the test and are safe.

Wherefore now we call the proud people happy, for they that work wickedness are built up, and they have tempted God and are preserved.

Free Bible Version

From now on we'll say that the proud are blessed. Evil people do well, and nothing happens when they dare God to punish them.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore wee count the proude blessed: euen they that worke wickednesse, are set vp, and they that tempt God, yea, they are deliuered.

King James (Authorized) Version

And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Translation for Translators

From now on, we will say/consider that those who are proud are the ones whom God has blessed. We will say that because it seems that it is those who do evil who become rich, and that it is those who try to find out how many evil things they can do without God punishing them who are not punished.’”

Unlocked Literal Bible

So now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper, but they even test God and escape.'”

Noah Webster Bible

And now we call the proud happy; yes, they that work wickedness are set up; even they that tempt God are delivered.

World English Bible

Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work wickedness are built up; yes, they tempt God, and escape.’

Young's Literal Translation

And now, we are declaring the proud happy, Yea, built up have been those doing wickedness, Yea they have tempted God, and escape.'

Context

The Book of Remembrance

¹⁴You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?¹⁵So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”¹⁶At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.

Sermons

The Power of His Presence

David Wilkerson

2.8K

Summary

In Malachi 3:15, the people are expressing their frustration and doubt in God's justice, questioning why the arrogant and evildoers seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. This verse reflects a common human struggle with understanding the ways of God and His timing. It serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His justice will ultimately prevail, even if it is not immediately evident. The passage encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and righteousness, knowing that He will one day set all things right and judge the wicked.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And now--Since we who serve Jehovah are not prosperous and "the proud" heathen flourish in prosperity, we must pronounce them the favorites of God (Mal 2:17; Psa 73:12). set up--literally, "built up": metaphor from architecture (Pro 24:3; compare Gen 16:2, Margin; Gen 30:3, Margin.) tempt God--dare God to punish them, by breaking His laws (Psa 95:9).

John Gill Bible Commentary

And now we call the proud happy,.... Or "therefore now" (q); since this is the case, that the worshippers of God are not regarded, and there is nothing got by serving him; they that are proud and haughty, that neither fear God nor regard men, are the happy persons; even presumptuous sinners, as the word (r) signifies, that stretch out their hands against God, and strengthen themselves against the Almighty; these enjoy all worldly happiness, while they that serve the Lord are mourning in sackcloth, and are in the utmost distress. The Targum explains it of the ungodly, and as it is explained in the following clause: yea, they that work wickedness are set up: or "built up" (s); or "seeing, because", or "for they that work" (t), &c.; they are increased with children, by which their houses or families are built up; they are in a well settled and established condition; they abound in riches and honours; they are set in high places, and are in great esteem among men, even such who make it their constant business to commit sin: yea, they that tempt God; or "yea, they tempt God" (u); by their wicked words and actions, and try whether he will cause his judgments to fall upon them, which he has threatened to such sinners; see Isa 5:18, are even delivered; or, "and are delivered" (w); from the punishment threatened; they escape it, and go on with impunity; from which observations these persons reasoned that there was no God of judgment, or that judged in the earth; that there was no providence concerned about human affairs; and that there was nothing in religion; and these were the hard and stout words which they spoke against the Lord. (q) "ergo nunc", V. L.; "igitur", Cocceius; "adeoque", Burkius. (r) "arrogantes", V. L.; "feroces", Cocceius. (s) "aedificati sunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Burkius; "aedificantur", Vatablus, Tigurine version, Calvin, Junius & Tremellius. (t) "siquidem", V. L.; "nam", Piscator, Noldius. (u) "etiam probaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Burkius. (w) "et evaserunt", Pagninus, Montanus; "et effugerunt", Cocceius.

Malachi 3:15

The Book of Remembrance

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.

Bible in Basic English

And now to us the men of pride seem happy; yes, the evil-doers are doing well; they put God to the test and are safe.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Wherefore now we call the proud people happy, for they that work wickedness are built up, and they have tempted God and are preserved.

Free Bible Version

From now on we'll say that the proud are blessed. Evil people do well, and nothing happens when they dare God to punish them.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore wee count the proude blessed: euen they that worke wickednesse, are set vp, and they that tempt God, yea, they are deliuered.

King James (Authorized) Version

And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

So now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper, but they even test God and escape.'”

Noah Webster Bible

And now we call the proud happy; yes, they that work wickedness are set up; even they that tempt God are delivered.

World English Bible

Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work wickedness are built up; yes, they tempt God, and escape.’

Young's Literal Translation

And now, we are declaring the proud happy, Yea, built up have been those doing wickedness, Yea they have tempted God, and escape.'

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Malachi 3:15

Verse

Context

The Book of Remembrance

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Malachi 3:15

The Book of Remembrance

The Power of His Presence

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes