ye shall know - by bitter experience of consequences, that it was with this design I admonished you, in order “that My covenant with Levi might be” maintained; that is, that it was for your own good (which would be ensured by your maintaining the Levitical command) I admonished you, that ye should return to your duty [Maurer] (compare Mal 2:5, Mal 2:6). Malachi’s function was that of a reformer, leading back the priests and people to the law (Mal 4:4).