Zephaniah 3
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1Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!1What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime!
2She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.2No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.
3Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning.3Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
4Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.4Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.
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.5But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail. But the wicked know no shame.
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 wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their streets are now deserted; their cities lie in silent ruin. There are no survivors— none at all.
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 thought, ‘Surely they will have reverence for me now! Surely they will listen to my warnings. Then I won’t need to strike again, destroying their homes.’ But no, they get up early to continue their evil deeds.
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.8Therefore, be patient,” says the LORD. “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured 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.9“Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the LORD together.
10From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.10My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings.
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.11On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on 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.12Those who are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who 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 remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”
14Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!14Sing, 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. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.15For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.
16On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.16On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
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."17For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
18"I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.18“I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.
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.19And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.
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.20On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
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Zephaniah 2
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