Zephaniah 3

Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem

1 Woe to the city that is rebellious  * 3:1 Or filthy,* 3:1 Ex 23:21; Dt 9:24; Ps 106:43 and defiled,  * 3:1 Is 59:3

the oppressive city!

2 She has not obeyed;  * 3:2 1Sm 15:22

she has not accepted discipline.  * 3:2 Jb 5:17

She has not trusted  * 3:2 Pr 3:5 in the Lord;

she has not drawn near to her God.

3 The  * 3:3 Lit Her princes within her are roaring lions;  * 3:3 Ezk 22:25

her judges are wolves of the night,  * 3:3 Hab 1:8; Mt 7:15; Ac 20:29

which leave nothing for  * 3:3 Or that had nothing to gnaw in  the morning.

4 Her prophets are reckless  * 3:4 Jdg 9:4  —

treacherous men.

Her priests profane the sanctuary;

they do violence to instruction.  * 3:4 Ezk 22:26

5 The righteous Lord is in her;  * 3:5 Ps 129:4

he does no wrong.  * 3:5 Ps 92:15

He applies his justice morning by morning;

he does not fail at dawn,

yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.  * 3:5 Jr 8:12

6 I have cut off nations;

their corner towers  * 3:6 Zph 1:16 are destroyed.

I have laid waste their streets,

with no one to pass through.

Their cities lie devastated,

without a person, without an inhabitant.  * 3:6 Jr 44:2; Zph 2:5

7 I said: You will certainly fear me

and accept correction.

Then her dwelling place  * 3:7 LXX, Syr read her eyes

would not be cut off

based on all that I had allocated to her.

However, they became more corrupt

in all their actions.

8 Therefore, wait for me  * 3:8 Jb 3:21; Ps 33:20; Is 8:17; 30:18; 64:4  —

this is the  Lord’s declaration —

until the day I rise up for plunder.  * 3:8 LXX, Syr read for a witness; Vg reads up forever

For my decision is to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

in order to pour out my indignation  * 3:8 Ps 69:24; Ezk 21:31; 22:31; Nah 1:6 on them,

all my burning anger;

for the whole earth will be consumed

by the fire of my jealousy.  * 3:8 Dt 29:20; Ps 79:5; Zch 1:14; 8:2

Final Restoration Promised

9 For I will then restore

pure  * 3:9 Dn 12:10 speech to the peoples

so that all of them may call

on the name of the  Lord

and serve him with a single purpose.  * 3:9 Lit with one shoulder

10 From beyond the rivers of Cush  * 3:10 Is 18:1–3

my supplicants, my dispersed people,

will bring an offering to me.

11 On that day you  * 3:11 = Israel will not be put to shame  * 3:11 Gn 2:25; 2Sm 19:5; Ps 25:3

because of everything you have done

in rebelling  * 3:11 Is 1:2 against me.

For then I will remove

from among you your jubilant,  * 3:11 Jr 48:29 arrogant people,

and you will never again be haughty

on my holy mountain.  * 3:11 Is 11:9

12 I will leave

a meek and humble people  * 3:12 Is 66:2 among you,

and they will take refuge in the name of the  Lord.

13 The remnant  * 3:13 Gn 45:7; 2Kg 19:31; Jr 23:3 of Israel will no longer

do wrong or tell lies;

a deceitful tongue will not be found

in their mouths.

They will pasture and lie down,

with nothing to make them afraid.  * 3:13 Gn 42:28; Jr 50:19; Ezk 34:14; Mc 4:4; 7:14

14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;

shout loudly, Israel!

Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,

Daughter Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has removed your punishment;

he has turned back your enemy.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;

you need no longer fear harm.

16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:

"Do not fear;

Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.  * 3:16 Jr 6:24; 50:43

17 The Lord your God is among you,

a warrior  * 3:17 Jos 1:14; Jb 16:14; Ps 78:65 who saves.

He will rejoice over you  * 3:17 Dt 28:63; 30:9 with gladness.

He will be quiet  * 3:17 LXX, Syr read He will renew you in his love.

He will delight in you with singing."  * 3:17 Ps 30:5

18 I will gather those who have been driven  * 3:18 Lm 1:4–5; 3:33

from the appointed festivals;

they will be a tribute from you  * 3:18 = Jerusalem

and a reproach on her.  * 3:18 Hb obscure

19 Yes, at that time

I will deal with all who oppress you.

I will save the lame  * 3:19 Ex 14:30 and gather the outcasts;  * 3:19 Mc 4:6

I will make those who were disgraced

throughout the earth

receive praise and fame.

20 At that time I will bring you  * 3:20 = people of Israel  back,

yes, at the time I will gather you.

I will give you fame and praise

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes  * 3:20 Jb 42:10; Jr 29:14; Ezk 39:25; Hs 6:11; Jl 3:1 before your eyes.

The Lord has spoken.