Zephaniah 1:4–13

The Lord Will Judge Judah

⁴“I will use my power against Judah 

and against those who live in Jerusalem. 

I will remove the faithful few of Baal from this place 

and the names of the pagan priests along with my priests. 

⁵I will remove those who worship all the stars in the sky on their rooftops 

and those who worship by swearing loyalty to the Lord 

while also swearing loyalty to the god Milcom.^a

⁶I will remove those who have turned away from following the Lord 

and those who no longer seek the Lord or ask him for help.” 

⁷Be silent in the presence of the Almighty Lord, 

because the day of the Lord is near. 

The Lord has prepared a sacrifice. 

He has invited his special guests. 

⁸“On the day of the Lord’s sacrifice I will punish the officials, 

the king’s sons, and all who dress in foreign clothing.^b

⁹On that day I will punish all who jump over the doorway 

and all who fill their master’s house with violence and deception. 

¹⁰On that day a loud cry will come from Fish Gate, 

a howling from the Second Part of the city, 

and a loud crashing sound from the hills,” declares the Lord. 

¹¹“Howl, inhabitants of the Mortar,^c

because all the merchants will be destroyed 

and all who handle money will be killed. 

¹²“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those 

who are satisfied with their hardened lifestyle, 

who think that the Lord won’t do anything—good or bad. 

¹³Their wealth will be looted. 

Their homes will be demolished. 

They will build houses, but they won’t live in them. 

They will plant vineyards, but they won’t drink their wine.”