First reading
“I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “and my name is reverenced among the nations.
“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name,” says the Lord of hosts, “then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
“You have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts, “and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.”
Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?