Zephanja 3
1 Weh der abscheulichen, bedeckten Stadt, der quälerischen,
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 die nie auf eine Warnung hört und keine Zucht annimmt, die nimmer auf den Herrn vertraut, die ihrem Gott sich nicht mehr naht!
[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 In ihr sind ihre Fürsten brüllende Löwen und ihre Richter ausgezehrte Wölfe, die nicht auf den Morgen warten.
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 Leichtfertig ihre Seher und des Truges Männer; und Heiliges entweihen ihre Priester, freveln an der Lehre.
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 Als ein Gerechter wohnt der Herr in ihr; er tut nichts Unrechtes. Allmorgendlich setzt er sein Rechtsverfahren an; beim Tagesgrauen läßt er sich nicht missen, und dabei weiß er gar nichts von schmachvollem Unrechttun.
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 "Ich habe Heidenvölker ausgerottet; eingerissen wurden ihre Winkel. Verödet hab ich ihre Gassen, daß niemand sie durchzog, und ihre Städte wurden so zerstört, daß niemand mehr drin wohnte.
[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 Da dachte ich, du fürchtetest mich jetzt, du nähmest Zucht an, daß nicht Zerstörung ihren Wohnsitz treffe, nicht alles das, womit ich ihr gedroht. Doch um so eifriger verdarben sie all ihre schlimmen Werke.
[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 Doch wartet nur auf mich," ein Spruch des Herrn, "nur auf den Tag, da ich als Kläger mich erhebe! Mein Recht ist es, die Heidenvölker zu versammeln und Königreiche aufzubieten, um über jene meinen Grimm zu gießen, all meine Zornesgluten. Vom Feuer meines Zorneseifers soll das ganze Land gefressen werden.
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 Alsdann verleih ich wieder meinem Volke reine Lippen, daß sie alle den Namen ihres Herrn anrufen und ihn einmütig verehren.
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 Von jenseits her der Flüsse Äthiopiens, von Indien und Medien und Persien wird man mir Wohlgerüche als Geschenk darbringen.
[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 Du wirst an jenem Tag dich aller deiner Taten schämen, durch die du dich an mir vergangen; denn dann entferne ich die frechen Sünder aus deiner Mitte. Du bist dann nicht mehr voller Übermut auf meinem heiligen Berg.
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 In deiner Mitte laß ich dann ein Volk noch übrig, demütig und gering. Sie nehmen zu des Herren Namen ihre Zuflucht.
Those who are still alive in Israel will be poor and humble; they will be people who trust in me [MTY].
13 Wer übrigbleibt von Israel, der tut kein Unrecht mehr und spricht nicht Lügen. Kein trügerisches Wort ist mehr in ihrem Mund; sie können weiden und sich lagern und niemand schreckt sie auf."
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 Frohlocke, Sionstochter! Israel, nun jauchze auf! Sei froh! Aus ganzem Herzen juble, Tochter du Jerusalem!
You people who live in Jerusalem [DOU] and [other places in] Israel, sing and shout loudly! Be glad, and rejoice [DOU] greatly,
15 Der Herr entfernte deine Richter; verschwinden ließ er deinen Feind. Der Herr ist wieder König über Israel in dir; dir widerfährt nichts Schlimmes mehr.
[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 An jenem Tage spricht man zu Jerusalem: "Fürchte dich nicht! Laß deine Hände, Sion, nimmer sinken!
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 In deiner Mitte ist der Herr, dein Gott, der Held, der hilft. Er freut sich deiner wonnevoll, umfaßt mit Liebe dich, frohlockend, und jauchzt und jubelt über dich.
[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 Die Possen an dem Feste lasse ich bei dir verschwinden; sie waren eine schimpfliche Zugabe.
[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 Zu jener Zeit vernichte ich deine Bedränger alle. Dagegen rette ich das Lahme, sammle das Versprengte und bringe sie zu Ruhm und Ehre in allen Landen ihrer Schmach.
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 In jener Zeit, da bringe ich euch heim. Die Zeit erscheint, da ich euch sammle. Ich bringe euch zu Ruhm und Ehre bei allen Erdenvölkern, wenn ich vor euren eigenen Augen wende eure Haft." So spricht der Herr.
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.”
