[Image: Introduction to Zephaniah]
ZEPHANIAH 3
Judgment on Jerusalem and the Nations
[1] Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
the oppressing city!
[2] She listens to no voice;
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the LORD;
she does not draw near to her God.
[3] Her officials within her
are roaring lions;
her judges are evening wolves
that leave nothing till the morning.
[4] Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men;
her priests profane what is holy;
they do violence to the law.
[5] 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.
[6] “I have cut off nations;
their battlements are in ruins;
I have laid waste their streets
so that no one walks in them;
their cities have been made desolate,
without a man, without an inhabitant.
[7] I said, ‘Surely you will fear me;
you will accept correction.
Then your dwelling would not be cut off
according to all that I have appointed against you.’
But all the more they were eager
to make all their deeds corrupt.
[8] “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD,
“for the day when I rise up to seize the prey.
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour out upon them my indignation,
all my burning anger;
for in the fire of my jealousy
all the earth shall be consumed.
The Conversion of the Nations
[9] “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD
and serve him with one accord.
[10] From beyond the rivers of Cush
my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones,
shall bring my offering.
[11] “On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
[12] But I will leave in your midst
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,
[13] those who are left in Israel;
they shall do no injustice
and speak no lies,
nor shall there be found in their mouth
a deceitful tongue.
For they shall graze and lie down,
and none shall make them afraid.”
Israel’s Joy and Restoration
[14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
[15] The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
[16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
[17] The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
[18] I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
[19] Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
[20] At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the LORD. (ESV)
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