Zephaniah 3:5
New International Version
The 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.

New Living Translation
But 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.

English Standard Version
The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

Berean Standard Bible
The 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.

King James Bible
The 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.

New King James Version
The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the criminal knows no shame.

NASB 1995
The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

NASB 1977
The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh is righteous in her midst; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

Amplified Bible
The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust person knows no shame.

Christian Standard Bible
The righteous LORD is in her; he does no wrong. He applies his justice morning by morning; he does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The righteous LORD is in her; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.

American Standard Version
Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

Contemporary English Version
All who do evil are shameless, but the LORD does right and is always fair. With the dawn of each day, God brings about justice.

English Revised Version
The LORD in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The righteous LORD is in that city. He does no wrong. He brings his judgment to light every morning. He does not fail. But those who are perverted are shameless.

Good News Translation
But the LORD is still in the city; he does what is right and never what is wrong. Every morning without fail, he brings justice to his people. And yet the unrighteous people there keep on doing wrong and are not ashamed.

International Standard Version
The 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.

Majority Standard Bible
The 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.

NET Bible
The just LORD resides within her; he commits no unjust acts. Every morning he reveals his justice. At dawn he appears without fail. Yet the unjust know no shame.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD, in the midst of her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn't fail, but the unjust know no shame.

Webster's Bible Translation
The just LORD is in the midst of her; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

World English Bible
Yahweh, within her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH [is] righteous in her midst, "" He does not do perverseness, "" Morning by morning His judgment He gives to the light, "" It has not been lacking, "" And the perverse do not know shame.

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah is righteous in her midst, He doth not do perverseness, Morning by morning His judgment he giveth to the light, It hath not been lacking, And the perverse doth not know shame.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah is just in her midst; he will not do iniquity: in morning by morning he will give his judgment to the light, he as not wanting; and the evil will not know shame.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The just Lord is in their midst; he will not do iniquity. In the morning, in the morning, he will bring his judgment into the light, and it will not be hidden. But the impious one has not known shame.

New American Bible
But the LORD in its midst is just, doing no wrong; Morning after morning rendering judgment unfailingly, at dawn; the wicked, however, know no shame.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD within it is righteous; he does no wrong. Every morning he renders his judgment, each dawn without fail; but the unjust knows no shame.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the just LORD is in her midst; he will not do iniquity; every morning he brings his justice to light, he is never late; but the wicked knows no shame.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH within her is righteous and he does no evil at dawn, and at dawn he gives his judgments in the light, and he is not slack, and the evil one knows no shame
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD who is righteous is in the midst of her, He will not do unrighteousness; Every morning doth He bring His right to light, It faileth not; But the unrighteous knoweth no shame.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the just Lord is in the midst of her, and he will never do an unjust thing: morning by morning he will bring out his judgment to the light, and it is not hidden, and he knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Jerusalem
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. 6“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant.…

Cross References
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Isaiah 33:5-6
The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. / He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.

Isaiah 45:21
Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Psalm 92:15
to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.

Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Romans 3:25-26
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. / He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Revelation 19:11
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.


Treasury of Scripture

The just LORD is in the middle thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning does he bring his judgment to light, he fails not; but the unjust knows no shame.

just.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Psalm 99:3,4
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy…

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

is in.

Zephaniah 3:15,17
The 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…

Deuteronomy 23:14
For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

he will.

Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Job 34:10,17-19
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity…

every morning.

Isaiah 28:19
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

bring.

Psalm 37:6
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Isaiah 42:3,4
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth…

Micah 7:9
I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

Jump to Previous
Evil Evil-Doer Fail Faileth Forth Iniquity Injustice Judgment Justice Lacking Light Midst Morning New Perverse Perverseness Right Righteous Righteousness Sense Shame Shows Thereof Unchanging Unjust Unrighteous Unrighteousness Upright Within Wrong
Jump to Next
Evil Evil-Doer Fail Faileth Forth Iniquity Injustice Judgment Justice Lacking Light Midst Morning New Perverse Perverseness Right Righteous Righteousness Sense Shame Shows Thereof Unchanging Unjust Unrighteous Unrighteousness Upright Within Wrong
Zephaniah 3
1. A sharp reproof of Jerusalem for various sins.
8. An exhortation to wait for the restoration of Israel,
14. and to rejoice for their salvation by God.














The LORD within her
The phrase "The LORD within her" emphasizes the presence of God among His people, specifically within the city of Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal and unchanging nature. This presence is a reminder of God's intimate involvement with His people, despite their rebellion. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's temple, symbolizing His nearness and commitment to His covenant.

is righteous
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "tsaddiq," which conveys the idea of being just, lawful, and morally upright. God's righteousness is a central theme throughout Scripture, highlighting His perfect nature and His commitment to justice and truth. In a world filled with corruption and sin, God's righteousness stands as a beacon of hope and a standard against which all actions are measured.

He does no wrong
This phrase underscores the perfection and holiness of God. Unlike humans, who are prone to sin and error, God is incapable of wrongdoing. This is a foundational truth in conservative Christian theology, affirming God's absolute moral purity and the trustworthiness of His character. It reassures believers that God's actions are always just and for the ultimate good of His people.

Morning by morning
The repetition of "morning by morning" suggests consistency and faithfulness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the morning was often associated with new beginnings and the dispelling of darkness. This phrase indicates that God's justice and mercies are renewed daily, echoing Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God's mercies being new every morning.

He dispenses His justice
The act of dispensing justice is central to God's character. The Hebrew word for "justice" is "mishpat," which involves judgment, fairness, and the right ordering of society. God's justice is not arbitrary but is rooted in His righteous nature. This assurance of divine justice provides hope for the oppressed and a warning to the wicked.

every new day He does not fail
This phrase highlights God's unwavering faithfulness. The constancy of God's actions, "every new day," assures believers of His reliability and steadfastness. In a world where human promises often fail, God's faithfulness is a source of comfort and strength, reinforcing the belief that He is always working for the good of those who love Him.

yet the unjust know no shame
The contrast between God's righteousness and the behavior of the unjust is stark. The "unjust" are those who act contrary to God's laws and principles. The phrase "know no shame" indicates a hardened heart and a lack of repentance. Despite witnessing God's justice and righteousness, the unjust remain unrepentant, highlighting the depth of human depravity and the need for divine intervention through Christ for true transformation.

Verse 5. - In the midst of this congregation of sinners God is continually manifesting his righteousness; he leaves not himself without witness; and therefore their iniquities are without excuse. The just Lord is in the midst thereof; or, the Lord in the midst of her is righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4). His presence was associated with the temple; his moral government was always being manifested. He would not be "just" if he left sinners unpunished. Every morning; Hebrew," in the morning, in the morning." The phrase is rightly explained in our version (comp. Exodus 16:21; Psalm 87:5). Doth he bring his judgment to light. His prophets proclaim his perfect justice; his judgments on the heathen manifest it (ver. 8; Hosea 6:5). It is not from ignorance of the Law that the people sin. He faileth not; or, it faileth not; Vulgate, non abscoudetur. God never ceases thus to act; or, his justice is clear as (lay. But the unjust knoweth no shame. In spite of this hourly manifestation of God's justice, and the enactments of the Law so well known, the perverse nation will not amend its ways, feels no shame at its backslidings (Jeremiah 3:3; Jeremiah 6:15). The Septuagint Version, according to the Vatican manuscript, is curious here, and in the latter part somewhat like St. Matthew's rendering of Isaiah 42:3, Καὶ οὐκ ἔγνω ἀδικίαν ἐν ἀπαιτήσει, καί οὐκ εἰς νεῖκος ἀδικίαν (comp. Matthew 12:20), which Jerome translates, "Nescit iniquitatem in exactione, nec insempiternum injustitiam," and explains, "When God exacts from every man the sum he has committed to him, he will not be unjust, nor allow injustice to prevail."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

within her
בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ (bə·qir·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

is righteous;
צַדִּיק֙ (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

He does
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

no
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

wrong.
עַוְלָ֑ה (‘aw·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5766: Injustice, unrighteousness

He applies
יִתֵּ֤ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

His justice
מִשְׁפָּט֨וֹ (miš·pā·ṭōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

morning
בַּבֹּ֨קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

by morning;
בַּבֹּ֜קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

He does not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fail
נֶעְדָּ֔ר (ne‘·dār)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5737: To arrange as a battle, a vineyard, to muster, to miss

at dawn,
לָאוֹר֙ (lā·’ō·wr)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

yet the unjust
עַוָּ֖ל (‘aw·wāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5767: Unjust, unrighteous one

knows
יוֹדֵ֥עַ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

no
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

shame.
בֹּֽשֶׁת׃ (bō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1322: Shame, shameful thing


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OT Prophets: Zephaniah 3:5 Yahweh in the midst of her (Zeph. Zep Zp)
Zephaniah 3:4
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