Zephaniah 3

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¹Woe to the rebellious city! The violent city is defiled.

²She has not listened to the voice of God, nor accepted correction from Yahweh. She does not trust in Yahweh and will not approach her God.

³Her princes are roaring lions in her midst. Her judges are evening wolves who leave nothing to be gnawed upon in the morning.

⁴Her prophets are insolent and treasonous men. Her priests have profaned what is holy and have done violence to the law.

⁵Yahweh is righteous in her midst. He can do no wrong. Morning by morning he will dispense his justice! It will not be hidden in the light, yet unrighteous people know no shame.

⁶“I have destroyed nations; their fortresses are ruined. I have made their streets ruins, so that no one passes over them. Their cities are destroyed so that there is no man inhabiting them.

⁷I said, 'Surely you will fear me. Accept correction and do not be cut off from your homes by all that I have planned to do to you.' But they were eager to begin each morning by corrupting all their deeds.

⁸Therefore wait for me—this is Yahweh's declaration—until the day that I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms, to pour out on them my anger—all of my burning wrath; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth will be consumed.

⁹But then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call upon the name of Yahweh to serve him shoulder to shoulder.

¹⁰From beyond the river of Cush my worshipers—my scattered people—will bring offerings due me.

¹¹In that day you will not be put to shame for all your deeds that you committed against me, since at that time I will remove from among you those who celebrated your pride, and because you will no longer act arrogantly on my holy mountain.

¹²But I will leave among you a lowly and poor people, and they will find refuge in the name of Yahweh.

¹³The remnant of Israel will no longer commit injustice or speak lies, and no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouth; so they will graze and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”

¹⁴Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel. Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.

¹⁵Yahweh has taken away your punishment; he has driven out your enemies! Yahweh is the king of Israel among you. You will never again fear evil!

¹⁶In that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion. Do not let your hands falter.

¹⁷Yahweh your God is among you, a mighty one to save you. He will celebrate over you with joy; he will be silent over you in his love; he will be glad over you with a shout for joy.

¹⁸I will gather those who grieve, those who cannot attend the appointed feasts, so you will no longer bear any shame for it.

¹⁹Behold, I am about to deal with all your oppressors. At that time, I will rescue the lame and gather up the outcast. I will make them as praise, and I will change their shame into renown in all the earth.

²⁰At that time I will lead you; at that time I will gather you together. I will make all the nations of the earth respect and praise you, when you see that I restored you,” says Yahweh.