< Zefanias 3 >

1 Ve den genstridige, urene, grumme By!
What disaster is coming to corrupted, rebellious Jerusalem, you who oppress people!
2 Den hører ej HERRENs Røst, tager ikke mod Tugt. På HERREN stoler den ej, holder sig ej til Gud.
You don't listen to anybody, you don't accept correction, you don't trust in the Lord, you don't ask for God's help.
3 Fyrsterne i dens Midte er brølende Løver, dens dommere som Ulve ved Kvæld, der ej levner til Morgen;
Your leaders are as greedy as roaring lions; your judges are ravenous wolves that leave nothing behind by morning.
4 Skrydere er dens Profeter, troløse Mænd, dens Præster vanærer det hellige, øver Vold mod Loven.
Your prophets are arrogant, deceitful men who defile what is sacred and who openly break 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 Lord who does right is still among you, he does no wrong. Every morning he gives his judgment, every day without fail. But those who act unjustly have no shame.
6 I Stridslarm udrydded jeg Folk, deres Tinder er øde, deres Gader lagde jeg øde, så ingen går der, deres Byer er hærget, mennesketomme, ingen bor der.
I have destroyed nations. Their fortresses are deserted; their streets are empty; their cities are destroyed—there are no survivors, not one.
7 Jeg tænkte: "Den må dog frygte mig, tage mod Tugt; intet af alt, hvad jeg bød, vil gå den ad Glemme." Men des tidligere var de i Gang med al deres Ondskab.
I told myself, “Surely they will respect me now and accept my correction. Then their homes would not be destroyed to teach them a lesson.” But instead you're just as eager to go on doing evil.
8 Bi derfor på mig, så lyder det fra HERREN, på Dagen, jeg fremstår 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.
You just wait, declares the Lord. The day is coming when I will rise to give evidence. For I have decided to gather together all the nations and kingdoms and to pour out on them my anger, my fury and my rage. The whole earth will be burned up by the fire of my jealous anger.
9 Thi da vil jeg give Folkene rene Læber, så de alle påkalder HERREN og tjener ham endrægtigt.
For then I will give the nations pure speech so they can all pray and worship the Lord together.
10 Fra Landet hinsides Floden bringer de mig Bukke, fra Patros kommer de med Afgrødeoffer til mig.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my scattered people, my worshipers, will come to bring their offerings to me.
11 Hin bag 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 på mit hellige Bjerg.
On that day you won't be ashamed because of what you did in rebelling against me, for I will remove from among you those who are proud and boastful. Never again will you be conceited on my holy mountain.
12 Jeg levner i din Midte et Folk, som er ydmygt og ringe, og Israels Rest skal lide på HERRENs Navn.
I will leave among you those who are meek and humble, those who trust in the name of the Lord.
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.
The people of Israel who remain will not act wickedly nor will they tell lies. They will not deceive one another. They will be able to eat in peace and sleep in safety for there will be nothing to frighten them.
14 Jubl, du Zions Datter, Israel, råb højt, glæd dig og fryd dig af hele dit Hjerte, Jerusalems Datter!
Sing out, Jerusalem! Shout aloud, Israel! Jerusalem, be happy and celebrate with all your heart!
15 HERREN har slettet din Dom, bortdrevet dine Fjender. I din Midte er Israels Konge, HERREN, ej mere skuer du ondt.
For the Lord has turned aside from punishing you, and he has turned back your enemies. The Lord, the king of Israel, is with you, and you will never again have to fear disaster.
16 På hin Dag skal der siges til Jerusalem: Frygt ikke, Zion, lad ikke Hænderne synke!
On that day the message to the people of Jerusalem will be, “Don't be afraid; don't be discouraged!”
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 på Festens Dag;
The Lord your God is among you as a mighty warrior who saves. He will be so happy with you. He will renew his love for you. He will celebrate over you with loud singing.
18 den Tid er omme, da du bærer på Skam over ham.
I will gather those of you who mourn for the religious festivals—you will no longer have to bear the disgrace.
19 Se, på hin Tid gør jeg Ende på alle, som kuede dig, og jeg frelser, hvad der halter, og sanker det spredte og giver dem Ære og Ry på hele Jorden.
Look at what I am going to do! At that time I am going to deal with all those who have oppressed you. I will save those who are helpless and bring back those who were scattered, and I will turn their shame into praise, and all the world will respect them.
20 På hin Tid bringer jeg eder hjem, og på hin Tid samler jeg eder; thi jeg giver eder Ry og Ære blandt alle Jordens Folkeslag, når jeg vender eders Skæbne for eders Øjne, siger HERREN.
At that time I will bring you home, gathering you together. I will give you a good reputation, and you will be praised by all the peoples of the earth when I restore your status before your very eyes, says the Lord.

< Zefanias 3 >