【Zephaniah】Chapter 3  << Last Chapter Introduction

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3:1 Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city!

3:2 She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.

3:3 Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves of the night that have had no bones to gnaw by morning.

3:4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous men; Her priests profane what is holy, and do violence to the law.

3:5 The LORD within her is just, who does no wrong; Morning after morning he renders judgment unfailingly, at dawn.

3:6 I have destroyed nations, their battlements are laid waste; I have made their streets deserted, with no one passing through; Their cities are devastated, with no man dwelling in them.

3:7 I said, "Surely now you will fear me, you will accept correction"; She should not fail to see all I have visited upon her. Yet all the more eagerly have they done all their corrupt deeds.

3:8 Therefore, wait for me, says the LORD, against the day when I arise as accuser; For it is my decision to gather together the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, In order to pour out upon them my wrath, all my blazing anger; For in the fire of my jealousy shall all the earth be consumed.

3:9 For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord;

3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.

3:11 On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain.

3:12 But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD;

3:13 the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

3:14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

3:15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

3:16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

3:17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you,

3:18 as one sings at festivals. I will remove disaster from among you, so that none may recount your disgrace.

3:19 Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you; I will save the lame, and assemble the outcasts; I will give them praise and renown in all the earth, when I bring about their restoration.

3:20 At that time I will bring you home, and at that time I will gather you; For I will give you renown and praise, among all the peoples of the earth, When I bring about your restoration before your very eyes, says the LORD.