Zephaniah 3
1 Woe to! [the] filthy [one] and [the] defiled [one] the city which oppresses.
Terrible things will [also] happen [to Jerusalem], that city whose people have rebelled [against Yahweh] and who have become unacceptable to him [because of the sins that they have committed]. [They act violently toward others] and they (oppress/treat cruelly) [other people].
2 Not it has listened to a voice not it has accepted correction in Yahweh not it has trusted to God its not it has drawn near.
[The people there] do not pay attention to people who tell them [the wrong things that they are doing] and [try to] (correct them/cause them to quit doing those things). [The people in Jerusalem] do not trust in Yahweh or draw near to ask help from their God.
3 Officials its in midst its [are] lions roaring judges its [are] wolves of [the] evening [which] not they gnaw to the morning.
Their leaders are [like] [MET] roaring lions; they are [like] [MET] wolves that [attack other animals] during the evening, [and eat everything that they kill], with the result that the next morning there is nothing left [of those animals to eat].
4 Prophets its [are] insolent men of treacheri priests its they profane [the] sanctuary they do violence to [the] law.
The prophets in Jerusalem are proud, [and they give messages that are] not to be trusted. Their priests cause the temple to be unholy by doing things that are opposed to the laws [of Moses].
5 Yahweh [is] righteous in midst its not he does injustice in the morning in the morning judgment his he gives to the light not he fails and not [is] knowing an unrighteous person shame.
But Yahweh is [also] in the city; and he never does what is wrong. He treats people justly/fairly; he does that every day, but wicked people are never ashamed [about their doing what is wrong].
6 I have cut off nations they are desolate corners their I have made desolate streets their because not [one who] passes by they have been laid waste cities their because not anyone from not inhabitant.
[Yahweh says this]: “I have destroyed [many] nations; I have destroyed their strong/high city walls and towers. [Now] I have caused the streets in those cities to be completely deserted [DOU]; the cities are ruined. There are no people [still alive] in the cities; they are all dead [LIT].
7 I said surely you will fear me you will accept correction and not it will be cut off dwelling its all that I have visited on it nevertheless they rose early they corrupted all practices their.
[So] I thought [to myself], ‘[Because of what I have done to those other nations], surely the people [of Jerusalem] will revere me [now], and they will accept (my correcting them/my telling them to quit doing what is wrong). [If they do that, I] will not destroy their houses; I will not punish them like I said that I would do.’ But [in spite of knowing how I punished those other nations], they were still eager to get up early each morning and continue to do evil things.
8 Therefore wait for me [the] utterance of Yahweh for [the] day to arise I for booty for judgment my [is] to gather nations to assemble I kingdoms to pour out on them indignation my all [the] burning of anger my for in [the] fire of jealousy my it will be consumed all the earth.
Therefore I, Yahweh, say, ‘Wait for the day in which I will testify [in court about your evil things].’ I have decided to gather the people of the kingdoms [of the earth] [DOU] and cause them to know that I am very angry with them. All [over] the earth I will punish and destroy people; my being angry with them because I (am jealous/want people to worship no other god) is [like] [MET] a (raging/very hot) fire.
9 For then I will restore to peoples a lip purified to call all of them on [the] name of Yahweh to serve him a shoulder one.
When that happens, I will cause [all] people [MTY] to be changed and enable them to speak [only] what is (pure/pleasing to me), in order that everyone can worship me [MTY] and unitedly/together serve me [MTY].
10 From [the] other side of [the] rivers of Cush worshippers my [the] daughter of (scattered [ones] my *L(abh)*) they will bring! offering my.
[Then] my people who [were forced to go to other countries], those who live along the upper part of the [Nile] River in Ethiopia will come to me and bring offerings to me.
11 On the day that not you will be ashamed from all practices your which you have transgressed against me for then - I will remove from midst your [the] exultant [ones] of pride your and not you will repeat to be haughty again on [the] mountain of holiness my.
At that time, you [people in Jerusalem] will no [longer] be ashamed [about what has happened to you], because you no longer will be rebelling against me. I will get rid of all the people among you who are very proud [DOU]. No one on [Zion], my holy hill, will [strut around] proudly.
12 And I will leave in midst your a people afflicted and poor and they will take refuge in [the] name of Yahweh.
Those who are still alive in Israel will be poor and humble; they will be people who trust in me [MTY].
13 [the] remnant of Israel not they will do injustice and not they will speak falsehood and not it will be found in mouth their a tongue of deceitfulness for they they will graze and they will lie down and there not [will be one who] disturbs [them].
Those people who are still alive [there] in Israel will not do [things that are] wrong; they will not tell lies or deceive [MTY] people. They will eat and sleep [safely], [because] no one will cause them to be afraid.”
14 Shout for joy O daughter of Zion shout O Israel rejoice and exult with all [the] heart O daughter of Jerusalem.
You people who live in Jerusalem [DOU] and [other places in] Israel, sing and shout loudly! Be glad, and rejoice [DOU] greatly,
15 He has removed Yahweh judgments your he has cleared away enemy your [the] king of Israel - Yahweh [is] in midst your not (you will fear *L(V)*) evil again.
[because] Yahweh will stop punishing [MTY] you, and he will send away from you [the armies of] your enemies! And Yahweh [himself], the king of [us] Israeli people, will live among us, and never again will we be afraid that [others will] harm us.
16 On the day that it will be said to Jerusalem may not you be afraid O Zion may not they drop hands your.
At that time, [other people] will say to us people of Jerusalem, “[You people of] [APO] Jerusalem, do not be afraid; do not become afraid or discouraged,
17 Yahweh God your [is] in midst your a warrior [who] he will give victory he will rejoice on you with joy he will be silent in love his he will be glad on you with a shout of joy.
[because] Yahweh your God is [living] among you. He is mighty, and he will rescue/save you. He will be very happy with you; because he loves you, he will cause you to not be afraid; he will sing loudly to rejoice over you.”
18 [those] grieved From an appointed feast I will gather from you they were tribute on it reproach.
[Yahweh says, ] “You people were sad and ashamed because [you were unable to attend] your religious festivals; but I will cause you to no longer be disgraced.
19 Here I [am] about to deal with all [those who] afflicted you at the time that and I will save the lame [person] and the outcast [person] I will gather and I will make them praise and a name [was] in all the earth shame their.
Truly, I will [severely] punish all those who (oppressed you/caused you to suffer). I will rescue those who are helpless and those who were forced to go to other countries. I will enable them to be praised and honored in every country to which they were (exiled/forced to go), places where they were disgraced.
20 At the time that I will bring you and at the time to gather I you for I will make you a name and praise among all [the] peoples of the earth when turn back I captiviti your to eyes your he says Yahweh.
At that time, I will gather you together and bring you [back] home [to Israel]. I will cause you to (have a good reputation/be honored) and be [greatly] praised among all the nations of the earth. You [MTY] will see me causing you to prosper again. [That will surely happen because I, ] Yahweh, have said it.”
