The Book of the Prophet Zephaniah 3 The Punishment of Jerusalem: The Promise Made to the Faithful

 The Book of the Prophet Zephaniah 3

The Punishment of Jerusalem: The Promise Made to the Faithful

1 Woe to the rebellious and defiled city, the oppressor!

2 She does not listen to the voice, she does not accept correction; she does not trust in the Lord, nor does she draw near to her God.

3 Her princes are roaring lions in her midst; her judges are evening wolves that leave no bones for the morning.

4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous creatures; her priests have profaned the sanctuary and done violence to the law.

5 The Lord is righteous in her midst; he does no wrong; every morning he brings his justice to light; he never fails; but the wicked know no shame.

6 I have destroyed the nations; their towers are desolate; I have made their streets deserted, so that no one passes through them; their cities have been destroyed, so that no one remains, so that there is no one to inhabit them. 

7 I said, “Surely you will fear me and accept correction, and then your dwelling place would not be destroyed, as I had determined.” But they rose early and corrupted all their works.

8 “Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “on the day when I rise up to plunder; for my judgment is to gather the nations and assemble the kingdoms, to pour out on them my indignation, all the fierceness of my wrath; for all this earth shall be consumed by the fire of my zeal.”

9 “For then I will give to the peoples pure lips, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord.”

10 “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my zealous worshipers, the daughter of my scattered woman, shall bring sacrifice to me.”

11 “On that day you shall not be ashamed of any of your deeds by which you rebelled against me; 11 For then I will remove from among you those who exult in their pride, and you will never again be proud on my holy mountain.

12 But I will leave in your midst a humble and poor people; and they will trust in the name of the Lord.

13 The remnant of Israel will do no iniquity, nor speak lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.

14 Sing joyfully, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15 The Lord has taken away your judgments, he has cast out your enemy; the Lord, the King of Israel, is in your midst; you will see no more evil.

16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.” 

17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

18 Those among you who mourned because of the appointed feasts I will gather, those to whom the burden was a reproach.

19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame and gather those who were driven out; and I will give them praise and a name in all the land where they were put to shame.

20 At that time I will bring you back, at that time I will gather you; I will surely give you a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, declares the Lord.