Sofonias Propheta 3
1 Vae provocatrix, et redempta civitas, columba.
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 Non audivit vocem, et non suscepit disciplinam: in Domino non est confisa, ad Deum suum non appropinquavit.
[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 Principes eius in medio eius quasi leones rugientes: iudices eius lupi vespere, non relinquebant in mane.
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 Prophetae eius vesani, viri infideles: sacerdotes eius polluerunt sanctum, iniuste egerunt contra legem.
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 Dominus iustus in medio eius non faciet iniquitatem: mane mane iudicium suum dabit in lucem, et non abscondetur: nescivit autem iniquus confusionem.
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 Disperdidi Gentes, et dissipati sunt anguli earum: desertas feci vias eorum, dum non est qui transeat: desolatae sunt civitates eorum, non remanente viro, neque ullo habitatore.
[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 Dixi: Attamen timebis me, suscipies disciplinam: et non peribit habitaculum eius propter omnia, in quibus visitavi eam: verumtamen diluculo surgentes corruperunt omnes cogitationes suas.
[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 Quapropter expecta me, dicit Dominus, in die resurrectionis meae in futurum, quia iudicium meum ut congregem Gentes, et colligam regna: et effundam super eos indignationem meam, omnem iram furoris mei: in igne enim zeli mei devorabitur omnis terra.
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 Quia tunc reddam populis labium electum, ut invocent omnes in nomine Domini, et serviant ei humero uno.
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 Ultra flumina Aethiopiae, inde supplices mei, filii dispersorum meorum deferent munus mihi.
[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 In die illa non confunderis super cunctis adinventionibus tuis, quibus praevaricata es in me: quia tunc auferam de medio tui magniloquos superbiae tuae, et non adiicies exaltari amplius in monte sancto meo.
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 Et derelinquam in medio tui populum pauperem, et egenum: et sperabunt in nomine Domini.
Those who are still alive in Israel will be poor and humble; they will be people who trust in me [MTY].
13 Reliquiae Israel non facient iniquitatem, nec loquentur mendacium, et non invenietur in ore eorum lingua dolosa: quoniam ipsi pascentur, et accubabunt, et non erit qui exterreat.
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 Lauda filia Sion: iubila Israel: laetare, et exulta in omni corde filia Ierusalem.
You people who live in Jerusalem [DOU] and [other places in] Israel, sing and shout loudly! Be glad, and rejoice [DOU] greatly,
15 Abstulit Dominus iudicium tuum, avertit inimicos tuos: rex Israel Dominus in medio tui, non timebis malum ultra.
[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 In die illa dicetur Ierusalem: Noli timere: Sion, non dissolvantur manus tuae.
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 Dominus Deus tuus in medio tui fortis, ipse salvabit: gaudebit super te in laetitia, silebit in dilectione tua, exultabit super te in laude.
[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 Nugas, qui a lege recesserant, congregabo, quia ex te erant: ut non ultra habeas super eis opprobrium.
[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 Ecce ego interficiam omnes, qui afflixerunt te in tempore illo: et salvabo claudicantem: et eam, quae eiecta fuerat congregabo: et ponam eos in laudem, et in nomen, in omni terra confusionis eorum.
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 tempore illo, quo adducam vos: et in tempore, quo congregabo vos: dabo enim vos in nomen, et in laudem omnibus populis terrae, cum convertero captivitatem vestram coram oculis vestris, dicit Dominus.
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.”
