Zephaniah 3

¹ Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!

² She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.

³ Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day.

⁴ Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

⁵ Yahweh in the midst of her is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.

⁶ “I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

⁷ I said, ‘Just fear me. Receive correction,’ so her dwelling wouldn’t be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they rose early and corrupted all their doings.

⁸ Therefore wait for me,” says Yahweh, “until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

⁹ For then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on Yahweh’s name, to serve him shoulder to shoulder.

¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, even the daughter of my dispersed people, will bring my offering.

¹¹ In that day you will not be ashamed for all your doings, in which you have transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of your midst your proudly exulting ones, and you will no more be haughty in my holy mountain.

¹² But I will leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they will take refuge in Yahweh’s name.

¹³ The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.

¹⁴ Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

¹⁵ Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you. You will not be afraid of evil anymore.

¹⁶ In that day it will be said to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion. Don’t let your hands be slack.”

¹⁷ Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

¹⁸ I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts. They are of you. The burden on her was a reproach.

¹⁹ Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you. I will save the lame, and gather the outcast, and I will give them praise and honor, whose shame has been in all the earth.

²⁰ At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you; for I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says Yahweh.