Zephaniah

CHAPTER 3

III. Jerusalem Reproached

the tyrannical city!^*

accepts no correction;

In the LORD it has not trusted,

nor drawn near to its God.^a

are roaring lions;

Its judges are desert wolves

that have no bones to gnaw by morning.^b

treacherous people;

Its priests profane what is holy,

and do violence to the law.^c

doing no wrong;

Morning after morning rendering judgment

unfailingly, at dawn;

the wicked, however, know no shame.

their battlements are laid waste;

I have made their streets deserted,

with no one passing through;

Their cities are devastated,

with no one dwelling in them.^d

you will accept correction;

They cannot fail to see

all I have brought upon them.”

Yet the more eagerly they have done

all their corrupt deeds.

IV. The Nations Punished and Jerusalem Restored

until the day when I arise as accuser;

For it is my decision to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

In order to pour out upon them my wrath,

all my blazing anger;

For in the fire of my passion

all the earth will be consumed.^e

the speech of the peoples,

That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,

to serve him with one accord;

and as far as the recesses of the North,

they shall bring me offerings.

You will not be ashamed

of all your deeds,

when you rebelled against me;

For then I will remove from your midst

the proud braggarts,

And you shall no longer exalt yourself

on my holy mountain.

a people humble and lowly,

Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD—^f

They shall do no wrong

and speak no lies;

Nor shall there be found in their mouths

a deceitful tongue;

They shall pasture and lie down

with none to disturb them.^g

sing joyfully, Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart,

daughter Jerusalem!^h

he has turned away your enemies;

The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,

you have no further misfortune to fear.

Do not fear, Zion,

do not be discouraged!

a mighty savior,

Who will rejoice over you with gladness,

and renew you in his love,

Who will sing joyfully because of you,ⁱ

I will remove disaster from among you,

so that no one may recount your disgrace.

with all who oppress you;

I will save the lame,

and assemble the outcasts;

I will give them praise and renown

in every land where they were shamed.^j

and at that time I will gather you;

For I will give you renown and praise,

among all the peoples of the earth,

When I bring about your restoration

before your very eyes, says the LORD.^k

* [3:1] The tyrannical city: Jerusalem.

a. [3:2] Jer 2:30; 7:28.

b. [3:3] Ez 22:27; Mi 3:11.

c. [3:4] Ez 22:26; Hb 1:4.

d. [3:6] Jer 2:15.

e. [3:8] Zep 1:18; Jl 4:2.

f. [3:12] Is 57:13; Ob 17.

g. [3:13] Mi 4:4.

h. [3:14] Zec 9:9.

i. [3:17] Jl 2:27.

j. [3:19] Mi 4:6.

k. [3:20] Jl 4:1.