The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah,a in the days of Josiahb son of Amon,c king of Judah.

THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD

2 I will completely sweep away everything

from the face of the earthd—

this is the Lord’s declaration.

3 I will sweep away people and animals;e

I will sweep away the birds of the sky

and the fish of the sea,

and the ruinsA along with the wicked.f

I will cut off mankind

from the face of the earth.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

4 I will stretch out my handg against Judah

and against all the residents of Jerusalem.

I will cut off every vestige of Baalh

from this place,

the names of the pagan priestsi

along with the priests;

5 those who bow in worship on the rooftopsj

to the stars in the sky;

those who bow and pledge loyalty to the Lordk

but also pledge loyalty to Milcom;B,l

6 and those who turn back from following the Lord,

who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.

7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord God,m

for the day of the Lord is near.n

Indeed, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice;o

he has consecrated his guests.p