Zephaniah 3:1–20
3 Woe to the city that is rebelliousA,a and defiled,b
the oppressive city!
2 She has not obeyed;c
she has not accepted discipline.d
She has not trustede in the Lord;
she has not drawn near to her God.
3 TheB princes within her are roaring lions;f
her judges are wolves of the night,g
which leave nothing forC the morning.
4 Her prophets are recklessh—
treacherous men.
Her priests profane the sanctuary;
they do violence to instruction.i
5 The righteous Lord is in her;j
he does no wrong.k
He applies his justice morning by morning;
he does not fail at dawn,
yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.l
their corner towersm are destroyed.
I have laid waste their streets,
with no one to pass through.
Their cities lie devastated,
without a person, without an inhabitant.n
7 I said: You will certainly fear me
and accept correction.
Then her dwelling placeD
would not be cut off
based on all that I had allocated to her.
However, they became more corrupt
in all their actions.
8 Therefore, wait for meo—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
until the day I rise up for plunder.E
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
in order to pour out my indignationp on them,
all my burning anger;
for the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of my jealousy.q
9 For I will then restore
purer speech to the peoples
so that all of them may call
on the name of the Lord
and serve him with a single purpose.F
10 From beyond the rivers of Cushs
my supplicants, my dispersed people,
will bring an offering to me.
11 On that day youG will not be put to shamet
because of everything you have done
in rebellingu against me.
For then I will remove
from among you your jubilant,v arrogant people,
and you will never again be haughty
on my holy mountain.w
a meek and humble peoplex among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnanty of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.z
14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.aa
17 The Lord your God is among you,
a warriorab who saves.
He will rejoice over youac with gladness.
He will be quietH in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”ad
18 I will gather those who have been drivena
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from youA
and a reproach on her.B
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lameb and gather the outcasts;c
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.
20 At that time I will bring youC back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunesd before your eyes.
The Lord has spoken.