¹⁰ so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,^(A)

¹² Also I gave them my Sabbaths^(A) as a sign^(B) between us,^(C) so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.^(D)

¹³ “‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled^(A) against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws^(B)—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths.^(C) So I said I would pour out my wrath^(D) on them and destroy^(E) them in the wilderness.^(F)

²⁰ And wherever they went among the nations they profaned^(A) my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’^(B)

²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common^(A) and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.^(B)

¹¹ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests^(A) what the law says: ¹² If someone carries consecrated meat^(B) in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?^(C)’”

The priests answered, “No.”

¹³ Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.^(D)”

¹⁴ Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people^(E) and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer^(F) there is defiled.

⁸ But you have turned from the way^(A) and by your teaching have caused many to stumble;^(B) you have violated the covenant^(C) with Levi,”^(D) says the Lord Almighty.