Zephaniah 3:8

3:8 Therefore you must wait patiently28 for me,” says the Lord,

“for the day when I attack and take plunder.29

I have decided30 to gather nations together

and assemble kingdoms,

so I can pour out my fury on them—

all my raging anger.

For31 the whole earth will be consumed

by my fiery anger.

28	tn The second person verb form (“you must wait patiently”) is masculine plural, indicating that a group is being addressed. Perhaps the humble individuals addressed earlier (see 2:3) are in view. Because of Jerusalem’s sin, they must patiently wait for judgment to pass before their vindication arrives.
29	tn Heb “when I arise for plunder.” The present translation takes עַד (’ad) as “plunder.” Some, following the LXX, repoint the term עֵד (’ed) and translate, “as a witness” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV). In this case the Lord uses a legal metaphor to picture himself as testifying against his enemies. Adele Berlin takes לְעַד (lé’ad) in a temporal sense (“forever”) and translates “once and for all” (Zephaniah [AB 25A], 133).
30	tn Heb “for my decision is.”
31	tn Or “certainly.”