Malachi 3:18
New International Version
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

New Living Translation
Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

English Standard Version
Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Berean Standard Bible
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

King James Bible
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

New King James Version
Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

New American Standard Bible
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

NASB 1995
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

NASB 1977
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
So you will return and see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

Amplified Bible
Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.

Christian Standard Bible
So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”

American Standard Version
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Contemporary English Version
Then everyone will once again see the difference between those who obey me by doing right and those who reject me by doing wrong.

English Revised Version
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then you will again see the difference between righteous people and wicked people, between the one who serves God and the one who doesn't serve him.

Good News Translation
Once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not."

International Standard Version
When you return, you will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and between the one who serves God and the one who does not."

Majority Standard Bible
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

NET Bible
Then once more you will see that I make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not.

New Heart English Bible
Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn't serve him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

World English Bible
Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have turned back and considered, "" Between the righteous and the wicked, "" Between the servant of God and him who is not His servant.”

Young's Literal Translation
And ye have turned back and considered, Between the righteous and the wicked, Between the servant of God and him who is not His servant.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye turned back and saw between the just to the unjust, and between him serving God and to him serving him not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall be converted, and you will see the difference between the just and the impious, and between those who serve God and those who do not serve him.

New American Bible
Then you will again distinguish between the just and the wicked, Between the person who serves God, and the one who does not.

New Revised Standard Version
Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then shall you return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who served God and those who served him not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall return and you shall observe between the righteous and the evil, and between those who served God and those who did not serve him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then shall ye again discern between the righteous and the wicked, Between him that serveth God And him that serveth Him not.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, and between him that serves God, and him that serves him not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Book of Remembrance
17“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Cross References
Matthew 13:49
So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous

Matthew 25:32-33
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

Psalm 1:5-6
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. / For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Daniel 12:10
Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”

1 John 3:10
By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Romans 2:6-8
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

Ezekiel 44:23
They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.

John 5:29
and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Revelation 22:11
Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

Proverbs 3:33
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Matthew 7:16-20
By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ...

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.


Treasury of Scripture

Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not.

shall.

Malachi 3:14,15
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? …

Malachi 1:4
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

Job 6:29
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

discern.

Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Psalm 58:10,11
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked…

Isaiah 3:10,11
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings…

between him.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Daniel 3:17-26
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king…

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 my Father honour.

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Considered Different Discern Distinction Distinguish Once Righteous Servant Serve Serves Serveth Sinner Turned Upright Wicked
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Malachi 3
1. Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ.
7. Of the rebellion,
8. sacrilege,
13. and infidelity of the people.
16. The promise of blessing to those who fear God.














So you will again
The phrase "So you will again" suggests a return to a previous state of understanding or discernment. In the Hebrew context, the word "again" implies restoration or renewal. Historically, the Israelites had periods of spiritual clarity and moral discernment, often followed by times of confusion and moral decline. This phrase indicates a promise of returning to a state where God's people can clearly see and understand the moral and spiritual distinctions that God desires.

distinguish between
The ability to "distinguish between" is a call to discernment. In Hebrew, the root word for "distinguish" is often associated with wisdom and understanding. This discernment is not merely intellectual but spiritual, requiring insight granted by God. In the biblical context, discernment is a gift from God, enabling His people to see beyond the surface and understand deeper spiritual truths. This ability is crucial for living a life that aligns with God's will.

the righteous and the wicked
This phrase sets up a clear moral dichotomy. "The righteous" refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and commandments, embodying justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Hebrew, "righteous" (tsaddiq) conveys a sense of being in right standing with God. Conversely, "the wicked" are those who reject God's ways, living in rebellion and sin. This distinction is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the ultimate accountability before God and the moral order He has established.

between those who serve God
Serving God is a central theme in the life of a believer. The Hebrew concept of service (avodah) encompasses worship, obedience, and dedication. It implies a life committed to God's purposes, characterized by faithfulness and devotion. Historically, serving God was not just about religious rituals but involved a holistic commitment to living out God's commandments in every aspect of life. This service is a mark of true discipleship and a reflection of one's relationship with God.

and those who do not
This phrase highlights the contrast between those who are committed to God and those who are not. It underscores the reality of choice and the consequences of that choice. In the biblical narrative, those who do not serve God are often depicted as pursuing their own desires, leading to spiritual and moral decay. This distinction serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging individuals to turn back to God and embrace a life of service and obedience.

Verse 18. - Then shall ye return, and discern; or, ye shall again discern. They had already had many opportunities, both in the history of the nation and the life of individuals, of observing the different treatment of the godly and of sinners; but in the day of the Lord they should have a more plain and convincing proof of God's moral government (comp. Exodus 11:7; Wisd. 5:1-5); "So that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth" (Psalm 58:11).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So you will again
וְשַׁבְתֶּם֙ (wə·šaḇ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

distinguish
וּרְאִיתֶ֔ם (ū·rə·’î·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

between
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the righteous
צַדִּ֖יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

and the wicked,
לְרָשָׁ֑ע (lə·rā·šā‘)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

between
בֵּ֚ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

those who serve
עֹבֵ֣ד (‘ō·ḇêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

God
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and those who
לַאֲשֶׁ֖ר (la·’ă·šer)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

do not.”
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT Prophets: Malachi 3:18 Then you shall return and discern between (Malachi Mal Ml)
Malachi 3:17
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