Zephaniah 3
3
Sinful Jerusalem
1Too bad for that disgusting,
corrupt, and lawless city!
2Forever rebellious
and rejecting correction,
Jerusalem refuses to trust
or obey the Lord God.
3Its officials are roaring lions,
its judges are wolves;
in the evening they attack,
by morning nothing is left.
4Jerusalem's prophets are proud
and not to be trusted.
The priests have disgraced
the place of worship
and abused God's Law.
5All who do evil are shameless,
but the Lord does right
and is always fair.
With the dawn of each day,
God brings about justice.
6The Lord wiped out nations
and left fortresses
crumbling in the dirt.
Their streets and towns
were reduced to ruins
and emptied of people.
7God felt certain that Jerusalem
would learn to respect
and obey him.
Then he would hold back
from punishing the city
and not wipe it out.
But everyone there was eager
to start sinning again.
Nations Will Turn to the Lord
8The Lord said:
Just wait for the day
when I accuse you nations.
I have decided on a day,
when I will bring together
every nation and kingdom
and punish them all
in my fiery anger.
I will become furious
and destroy the earth.
9I will purify each language
and make those languages
acceptable for praising me.#3.9 I will … praising me: Or “I will change the hearts of all people and make them fit for praising me.”
Then, with hearts united,
everyone will serve
only me, the Lord.
10From across the rivers
of Ethiopia,#3.10 Ethiopia: See the note at 2.12.
my scattered people,
my true worshipers,
will bring offerings to me.
11When that time comes,
you won't rebel against me
and be put to shame.
I'll do away with those
who are proud and arrogant.
Never will any of them
strut around
on my holy mountain.
12But I, the Lord, won't destroy
any of your people
who are truly humble
and turn to me for safety.
13 #
Rev 14.5. The people of Israel who survive
will live right
and refuse to tell lies.
They will eat and rest
with nothing to fear.
A Song of Celebration
14Everyone in Jerusalem and Judah,
celebrate and shout
with all your heart!
15Zion, your punishment is over.
The Lord has forced your enemies
to turn and retreat.
Your Lord is King of Israel
and stands at your side;
you don't have to worry
about any more troubles.
16Jerusalem, the time is coming,
when it will be said to you:
“Don't be discouraged
or grow weak from fear!
17The Lord your God
wins victory after victory
and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings
because of you,
and he will refresh your life
with his love.”#3.17 refresh … love: Two ancient translations; Hebrew “silently show you his love.”
The Lord's Promise to His People
18The Lord has promised:
Your sorrow has ended,
and you can celebrate.#3.18 celebrate: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 18.
19I will punish those
who mistreat you.
I will bring together the lame
and the outcasts,
then they will be praised,
instead of despised,
in every country on earth.
20I will lead you home,
and with your own eyes
you will see me bless you
with all you once owned.
Then you will be famous
everywhere on this earth.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
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Zephaniah 3: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Sophonias (Zephaniah) 3
3
1Woe to the provoking, and redeemed city, the dove.
2She hath not hearkened to the voice, neither hath she received discipline: she hath not trusted in the Lord, she drew not near to her God.
3Her princes are in the midst of her as roaring lions: her judges are evening wolves, they left nothing for the morning.
4Her prophets are senseless men without faith: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have acted unjustly against the law.
5The just Lord is in the midst thereof, he will not do iniquity: in the morning, in the morning he will bring his judgment to light, and it shall not be hid: but the wicked man hath not known shame.
6I have destroyed the nations, and their towers are beaten down: I have made their ways desert, so that there is none that passeth by: their cities are desolate, there is not a man remaining, nor any inhabitant.
7I said: Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive correction: and her dwelling shall not perish, for all things wherein I have visited her: but they rose early and corrupted all their thoughts.
8Wherefore expect me, saith the Lord, in the day of my resurrection that is to come, for my judgment is to assemble the Gentiles, and to gather the kingdoms: and to pour upon them my indignation, all my fierce anger: for with the fire of my jealousy shall all the earth be devoured.
9Because then I will restore to the people a chosen lip, that all may call upon the name of the Lord, and may serve him with one shoulder.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, shall my suppliants the children of my dispersed people bring me an offering.
11In that day thou shalt not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proud boasters, and thou shalt no more be lifted up because of my holy mountain.
12And I will leave in the midst of thee a poor and needy people: and they shall hope in the name of the Lord.
13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and shall lie down, and there shall be none to make them afraid.
14Give praise, O daughter of Sion: shout, O Israel: be glad, and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15The Lord hath taken away thy judgment, he hath turned away thy enemies: the king of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt fear evil no more.
16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not thy hands be weakened.
17The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save: he will rejoice over thee with gladness, he will be silent in his love, he will be joyful over thee in praise.
18The triflers that were departed from the law, I will gather together, because they were of thee: that thou mayest no more suffer reproach for them.
19Behold I will cut off all that have afflicted thee at that time: and I will save her that halteth, and will gather her that was cast out: and I will get them praise, and a name, in all the land where they had been put to confusion.
20At that time, when I will bring you: and at the time that I will gather you: for I will give you a name, and praise among all the people of the earth, when I shall have brought back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.