3 Heb “before the giving birth of a decree.” For various alternative readings, see J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (), 187–88.
4 The second half of the line reads literally, “like chaff it passes by a day.” The translation above assumes the “day” is the brief time God is giving the nation to repent. The comparison of this quickly passing opportunity to chaff is consistent with the straw imagery of v. 1.
5 Heb “the fury of the anger of the Lord.” The synonyms are combined to emphasize the extreme degree of the Lord’s anger.
6 Heb “comes upon.” This phrase occurs twice in this verse.
7 Heb “seek the Lord,” but “favor” seems to be implied from the final line of the verse.
8 Or “poor.” The precise referent of this Hebrew term is unclear. The word may refer to the economically poor or to the spiritually humble.
9 The present translation assumes the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) here refers to God’s covenantal requirements and is a synonym for the Law. The word can mean “justice” and could refer more specifically to the principles of justice contained in the Law. In this case the phrase could be translated, “who have promoted the justice God demands.”
10 Heb “Seek what is right.”
11 Heb “Seek humility.”
12 Heb “hidden.” Cf. “it may be that you will find shelter”; “perhaps you may be hidden.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

before the decree takes effect

—before the day passes away like chaff—

before there comes upon you

the burning anger of the Lord,

before there comes upon you

the day of the anger of the Lord.

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

who do his just commands;

seek righteousness; seek humility;

perhaps you may be hidden

on the day of the anger of the Lord.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

before the decree takes effect

and that day passes like windblown chaff,

before the Lord’s fierce anger

comes upon you,

before the day of the Lord’s wrath

comes upon you.

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

you who do what he commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility;

perhaps you will be sheltered

on the day of the Lord’s anger.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

before the decree takes effect

and the day passes like chaff,

before the burning of the Lord’s anger overtakes you,

before the day of the Lord’s anger overtakes you.

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth,

who carry out what he commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility;

perhaps you will be concealed

on the day of the Lord’s anger.

NLTNew Living Translation

Gather before judgment begins,

before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.

Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls

and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.

Seek the Lord, all who are humble,

and follow his commands.

Seek to do what is right

and to live humbly.

Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—

protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Before the birth of the decree,

the day flies away like chaff;

before the fierce anger of Yahweh overtakes you;

before the day of the anger of Yahweh overtakes you.

Seek Yahweh, all you afflicted of the land

who have fulfilled his law;

seek righteousness;

seek humility.

Perhaps you will be concealed

on the day of the anger of Yahweh.

KJV 1900King James Version

Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff,

Before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you,

Before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth,

Which have wrought his judgment;

Seek righteousness, seek meekness:

It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.

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