Zephaniah 3
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1Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!1Woe to this filthy, polluted, and oppressive city!
2She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.2It won't obey anyone. It won't accept discipline. It does not trust in the LORD. It does not approach God.
3Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning.3Its national officials are roaring lions; its judges are like wolves of the night that don't leave the bones for the morning.
4Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.4Its prophets are arrogant and treacherous. Its priests have contaminated the sanctuary. They give perverse interpretations of the Law.
5The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.5The righteous LORD who lives within her will do no wrong; he will bring justice to light morning by morning. He never fails, but the unjust are shameless.
6"I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty.6"I have destroyed nations— their fortifications are deserted. I have turned their main thoroughfares into wastelands where no one will travel. Their cities are desolate; as a result, not one man remains— no, not even a single resident.
7Of Jerusalem I thought, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.7I have said, 'If only you would fear me, if only you would take my instructions to heart.' Then their houses would not have been torn down. I have chastened them, but they were eager to corrupt everything they were doing."
8Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them-- all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.8"Just you wait!" declares the LORD. "The day will come when I stand up as a prosecutor, for I am determined to assemble the nations and to gather the kingdoms, in order to pour out my indignation upon them— all of my fierce anger. All the earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.
9"Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.9Indeed, then I will return my people to a pure language so that they all may call upon the name of the LORD, serving him with a united will.
10From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.10"From beyond the rivers of Sudan my worshipers — including my dispersed people— will present offerings to me.
11On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.11When this happens, you will not be ashamed of your actions by which you sinned against me, because I will remove from among you those who revel in pride. Arrogance will have no place in my holy mountain.
12But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the LORD.12I will keep a humble and gentle people among you, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
13They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."13The survivors of Israel will not practice lawlessness nor tell lies, nor will a deceitful message be found in their mouths, because they will eat and rest, with no one to cause fear."
14Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!14"Sing aloud, daughter of Zion! Shout out, Israel! Rejoice with all of your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
15The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.15The LORD has acquitted you; turning back your adversaries. Israel's king, the LORD, is among you; you will not fear disaster anymore.
16On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.16"When all of this happens, it will be told Jerusalem, 'Don't be afraid!" and to Zion, 'Don't lose courage!"
17The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."17The LORD your God among you is powerful— he will save and he will take joyful delight in you. In his love he will renew you with his love; he will celebrate with singing because of you.
18"I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.18I will gather the afflicted from the solemn assembly; those who were with you, who were bearing a burden of disgrace.
19At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.19"Watch how I deal with everyone who oppresses you! At that time I will rescue the one who is lame, and I will draw to me the one who has been driven away. I will honor them with praise and with a good reputation in every land where they have been put to shame.
20At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.20At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. Indeed, I will give you a good reputation, making you praiseworthy among all of the people of the world, when I restore your prosperity before your eyes," says the LORD.
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Zephaniah 2
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