Zephaniah 3
1O THE illustrious and redeemed city!
2This dove hearkened not to a voice. She received not instruction; she trusted not in the Lord, nor did she draw near to her God.
3Her chiefs within her were like roaring lions, and her judges like the wolves of Arabia. They left nothing for the morning.
4Her prophets are enthusiasts, arrogant men: her priests profane the Holies and unhallow the law.
5But the righteous Lord is in the midst of her and will not do an unjust thing. Every morning He will bring His judgment to light: for it was not hidden; nor did He countenance injustice for solicitation, nor make injustice successful.
6(J) With destruction I dragged down the proud. Their towers were made desolate. I will make their highways entirely waste, that none may travel them. Their cities are destroyed so that there is not a man—not an inhabitant.
7I have spoken. Nevertheless, fear Me, and receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off out of her sight. All that I have inflicted on her, repair thou. Arise betimes.
(p) All the gleanings of them are spoiled.
8(J) On that very account, wait thou for Me, saith the Lord, until the day of My resurrection for a testimony. For this judgment of Mine is for the assemblies of nations; to admit kings, to pour out all the fury of My wrath on them. For by the fire of My zeal all this land shall be utterly destroyed,
9that I may then bring back upon peoples a tongue for its generation, that they may all invoke the name of the Lord—that they may serve Him under one yoke.
10From the ends of the rivers of Ethiopia I will expect them; among My dispersed they shall bring sacrifices for Me.
11In that day thou shalt not be put to shame for all thy devices, which thou hast impiously devised against Me; because I will then take away from thee those trifles which occasion thy haughtiness, that thou mayst no more continue to boast of My holy mountain;
12and I will then expect in thee a meek and lowly people;
13and the remnant of Israel will revere the name of the Lord, and no more commit iniquity, nor speak vain things; nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they shall feed and lie down and there shall be none to make them afraid.
14(p) Rejoice, O daughters of Sion, Make proclamation, O daughters of Jerusalem! Be glad and rejoice with thy whole heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15The Lord hath taken away thy transgressions; He hath redeemed thee out of the hand of thine enemies. The king of Israel—the Lord—is in the midst of thee; thou shalt no more see evils.
16At that time the Lord will say to Jerusalem: Take courage, Sion. Let not thy hands hang down.
17The Lord thy God is with thee. The Mighty One will save thee. He will bring thee gladness and renew thee in His love; and rejoice over thee with joy as in the day of a festival,
18when I have gathered those of you who have been bruised. Ha! who is this that hath taken up a reproach against her?
19Behold here am I—I am dealing with thee for thy sake at that time, saith the Lord, and I will save her who hath been trodden down; and take back her who hath been put away; and I will make them a boast and renowned in every land. And they shall be ashamed at that time when I deal kindly with you.
20Even at the time when I take you back. For I will make you renowned, and a boast among all the people of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before their eyes, saith the Lord.