Zephaniah 3

1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city!

2 She obeyed not the voice. She received not correction. She trusted not in Jehovah. She did not draw near to her God.

3 Her rulers in the midst of her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing till the morrow.

4 Her prophets are airy and treacherous men. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

5 Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous. He will not do iniquity. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He does not fail, but the unjust man knows no shame.

6 I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that none passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

7 I said, Only fear thou me. Receive correction, so her dwelling shall not be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they rose early and corrupted all their doings.

8 Therefore wait ye for me, says Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey. For my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger. For all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9 For then I will turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring my offering.

11 In that day thou shall not be put to shame for all thy doings, in which thou have transgressed against me. For then I will take away out of the midst of thee those who rejoice in thy pride, and thou shall no more be haughty in my holy mountain.

12 But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah.

13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O Israel. Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15 Jehovah has taken away thy judgments. He has cast out thine enemy. The King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee. Thou shall not fear evil any more.

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not, O Zion. Let not thy hands be slack.

17 Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over thee with joy. He will rest in his love. He will joy over thee with singing.

18 I will gather those who sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of thee, to whom the burden upon her was a reproach.

19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict thee. And I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away, and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame has been in all the earth.

20 At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you. For I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth when I bring back your captivity before your eyes, says Jehovah.