< Zefanias 3 >

1 Ve den genstridige, urene, grumme By!
This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and there is no longer any [to be] after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of wild beasts! every one that passes through her shall hiss, and shake his hands. Alas the glorious and ransomed city.
2 Den hører ej HERRENS Røst, tager ikke mod Tugt. Paa HERREN stoler den ej, holder sig ej til Gud.
The dove listened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God.
3 Fyrsterne i dens Midte er brølende Løver, dens Dommere som Ulve ved Kvæld, der ej levner til Morgen;
Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morrow.
4 Skrydere er dens Profeter, troløse Mænd, dens Præster vanærer det hellige, øver Vold mod Loven.
Her prophets are light [and] scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law.
5 HERREN er retfærdig i dens Midte, gør ikke Uret; hver Morgen gør han Ret, ej svigte Lyset, til Uret kender han ikke.
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 judgement to the light, and it is not hidden, and he knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.
6 I Stridslarm udrydded jeg Folk, deres Tinder er øde, deres Gader lagde jeg øde, saa ingen gaar der, deres Byer er hærget, mennesketomme, ingen bor der.
I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling [in them].
7 Jeg tænkte: »Den maa dog frygte mig, tage mod Tugt; intet af alt, hvad jeg bød, vil gaa den ad Glemme.« Men des tidligere var de i Gang med al deres Ondskab.
I said, But do you fear me, and receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off from the face of the land [for] all the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare you, rise early: all their produce is spoilt.
8 Bi derfor paa mig, saa lyder det fra HERREN, paa Dagen, jeg fremstaar som Vidne! Thi min Ret er at sanke Folkene, samle Rigerne og udøse over dem min Vrede, al min Harmglød; thi af min Nidkærheds Ild skal al Jorden fortæres.
Therefore wait upon me, says the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: because my judgement [shall be] on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to me kings, to pour out upon them all [my] fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of my jealousy.
9 Thi da vil jeg give Folkene rene Læber, saa de alle paakalder HERREN og tjener ham endrægtigt.
For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve him under one yoke.
10 Fra Landet hinsides Floden bringer de mig Bukke, fra Patros kommer de med Afgrødeoffer til mig.
From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive my dispersed ones; they shall offer sacrifices to me.
11 Hin Dag skal du ikke beskæmmes i al din Tid, med hvilken du synded mod mig; thi da vil jeg fjerne fra dig de jublende stolte, du skal ikke hovmode dig mer paa mit hellige Bjerg.
In that day you shall not be ashamed of all your practices, wherein you have transgressed against me: for then will I take away from you your disdainful pride, and you shall no more magnify yourself upon my holy mountain.
12 Jeg levner i din Midte et Folk, som er ydmygt og ringe, og Israels Rest skal lide paa HERRENS Navn.
And I will leave in you a meek and lowly people;
13 Uret øver de ikke og taler ej Løgn, der findes ej i deres Mund en svigefuld Tunge; thi de skal græsse og raste uden at skræmmes.
and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity, neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.
14 Jubl, du Zions Datter, Israel, raab højt, glæd dig og fryd dig af hele dit Hjerte, Jerusalems Datter!
Rejoice, O daughter of Sion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight yourself with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 HERREN har slettet din Dom, bortdrevet dine Fjender. I din Midte er Israels Konge, HERREN, ej mere skuer du ondt.
The Lord has taken away your iniquities, he has ransomed you from the hand of your enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more.
16 Paa hin Dag skal der siges til Jerusalem: Frygt ikke, Zion, lad ikke Hænderne synke!
At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Sion; let not your hands be slack.
17 I dig er HERREN din Gud, en Helt, som frelser. Han glæder sig over dig med Fryd, han tier i sin Kærlighed, han fryder sig over dig med Jubel som paa Festens Dag;
The Lord your God is in you; the Mighty One shall save you: he shall bring joy upon you, and shall refresh you with his love; and he shall rejoice over you with delight as in a day of feasting.
18 den Tid er omme, da du bærer paa Skam over ham.
And I will gather your afflicted ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her?
19 Se, paa hin Tid gør jeg Ende paa alle, som kuede dig, og jeg frelser, hvad der halter, og sanker det spredte og giver dem Ære og Ry paa hele Jorden.
Behold, I [will] work in you for your sake at that time, says the Lord: and I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honoured in all the earth.
20 Paa hin Tid bringer jeg eder hjem, og paa hin Tid samler jeg eder; thi jeg giver eder Ry og Ære blandt alle Jordens Folkeslag, naar jeg vender eders Skæbne for eders Øjne, siger HERREN.
And [their enemies] shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you, and at the time when I shall receive you: for I will make you honoured and a praise amongst all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, says the Lord.

< Zefanias 3 >