Zephaniah 3

1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!footnote a

2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.footnote b

3Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.footnote c

6I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.footnote d

7I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, 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 upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.footnote efootnote f

10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

11In that day shalt thou 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 them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.footnote g

12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.footnote h

17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.footnote i

18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.footnote j

19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.footnote kfootnote l

20At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Judgment on Jerusalem

1Woe to the city of oppressors,rebellious and defiled! 2She heeded no voice;she accepted no correction.She does not trust in the LORD;she has not drawn near to her God. 3Her princes are roaring lions;her judges are evening wolves,leaving nothing for the morning. 4Her prophets are reckless,faithless men.Her priests profane the sanctuary;they do violence to the law. 5The LORD within her is righteous;He does no wrong.He applies His justice morning by morning;He does not fail at dawn,yet the unjust know no shame.

Purification of the Nations

6“I have cut off the nations;their corner towers are destroyed.I have made their streets desertedwith no one to pass through.Their cities are laid waste,with no man, no inhabitant. 7I said, ‘Surely you will fear Meand accept correction.’Then her dwelling place would not be cut offdespite all for which I punished her.But they rose earlyto corrupt all their deeds. 8Therefore wait for Me,”declares the LORD,“until the dayI rise to testify.footnote aFor My decision is to gather nations,to assemble kingdoms,to pour out upon them My indignation—all My burning anger.For all the earth will be consumedby the fire of My jealousy.

A Faithful Remnant

9For then I will restorepure lips to the peoples,that all may call upon the name of the LORDand serve Him shoulder to shoulder. 10From beyond the rivers of Cushfootnote bMy worshipers, My scattered people,will bring Me an offering. 11On that day you will not be put to shamefor any of the deedsby which you have transgressed against Me.For then I will remove from among youthose who rejoice in their pride,and you will never again be haughtyon My holy mountain. 12But I will leave within you a meek and humble people,and they will trust in the name of the LORD. 13The remnant of Israelwill no longer do wrong or speak lies,nor will a deceitful tonguebe found in their mouths.But they will feed and lie down,with no one to make them tremble.”

Israel’s Restoration

14Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion;shout aloud, O Israel!Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15The LORD has taken away your punishment;He has turned back your enemy.Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you;no longer will you fear any harm. 16On that day they will say to Jerusalem:“Do not fear, O Zion;do not let your hands fall limp. 17The LORD your God is among you;He is mighty to save.He will rejoice over you with gladness;He will quiet you with His love;footnote cHe will rejoice over you with singing.”

18“I will gather those among you who grieveover the appointed feasts,so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19Behold, at that time,I will deal with all who afflict you.I will save the lameand gather the scattered;and I will appoint praise and famefor the disgraced throughout the earth. 20At that time I will bring you in;yes, at that time I will gather you.For I will give you fame and praiseamong all the peoples of the earthwhen I restore your captivesfootnote dbefore your very eyes,”says the LORD.