10 Don’t we all have one father? Didn’t the one God create us all? So why do we cheat each other, thus disrespecting the agreement with our ancestors? 11 Our nation of Yehudah (Judah) has been unfaithful to Yahweh and done detestable things in Israel and in Yerusalem. Our men have defiled the temple that Yahweh loves by marrying foreign women who worship pagan gods. 12 May Yahweh, the one who is awake and the one who answers, banish the men who do this from Israel, even if they are bringing an offering to army-commander Yahweh.

13 Secondly, you cover Yahweh’s altar with tears from all your weeping and groaning because he still ignores your offerings and won’t accept what you all bring to him. 14 So you ask, “Why not?” Well, it’s because Yahweh can testify that you’ve been unfaithful to the wife that you married when you were young, even though she was your companion, and despite your vows. 15 Didn’t Yahweh make you and your wife one and give you some of his spirit because he wanted godly children to come from your marriage? So guard yourselves in your spirit, and don’t be unfaithful to the woman you married when you were young.

16 “Indeed, I hate divorce,” says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “and so-called ‘good people’ who’re actually cruel,” says army-commander Yahweh. “So listen to your consciences and don’t be unfaithful.”