Zephaniah 3:6–9

6 I have cut off nations;

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 placeE

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.F

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

FINAL RESTORATION PROMISED

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.G