Zephaniah
3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not
in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have
polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
3:5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every
morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the
unjust knoweth no shame.
3:6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their
streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that
there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
3:7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so
their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but
they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, 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 mine indignation, even all my
fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my
jealousy.
3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all
call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of
my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou
hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst
of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be
haughty because of my holy mountain.
3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and
they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither
shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed
and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all
the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:
the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt
not see evil any more.
3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion,
Let not thine hands be slack.
3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over
thee with singing.
3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are
of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save
her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get
them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you:
for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,
when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
