Zephaniah 3

Revised Geneva Translation

3 Woe to her who is filthy and polluted, to the robbing city!

² She did not hear the voice. She did not receive correction. She did not trust in the LORD. She did not draw near to her God.

³ Her princes within her are as roaring lions. Her judges are as evening wolves which do not leave a bone until morning.

⁴ Her prophets are light, wicked people. Her priests have polluted the Sanctuary. They have done violence to the Law.

⁵ The just LORD is in their midst. He will do no iniquity. Every morning, He brings His Judgment to light. He does not fail. But the wicked will not learn to be ashamed.

⁶ “I have cut off the nations. Their towers are desolate. I have laid their streets waste, so that no one can pass. Their cities are destroyed, without man and without inhabitant.

⁷ “I said, ‘Surely you will fear me. You will receive instruction,’ so that their dwelling would not be destroyed however I visited them. But they rose early and corrupted all their works.

⁸ “Therefore, wait upon Me,” says the LORD, “until the day that I rise up to the prey. For I am determined to gather the nations. I will assemble the kingdoms, to pour My indignation upon them, all My fierce wrath. For all the Earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.

⁹ “Surely, then, I will return a pure language to the people, so that they may all call upon the Name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent.

¹⁰ “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, the daughter of My dispersed, praying to Me, shall bring Me an Offering.

¹¹ “At that time, you shall not be ashamed of all your works in which you have transgressed against Me. For then I will take away out of your midst those who rejoice in your pride. And you shall no longer be proud on My Holy Mountain.

¹² “Then I will leave a humble and poor people in your midst. They shall trust in the Name of the LORD.

¹³ “The remnant of Israel shall do no iniquity or speak lies. Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. For they shall be fed and lie down. And no one shall make them afraid.”

¹⁴ Rejoice, O daughter Zion! Be joyful, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

¹⁵ The LORD has taken away your judgments. He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst. You shall no longer see evil.

¹⁶ At that time it shall be said to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion! Do not let your hands be faint.

¹⁷ “The LORD your God in your midst is mighty! He will save! He will rejoice over you with joy! He will quiet Himself in His love. He will rejoice over you with joy.”

¹⁸ “After a certain time, I will gather the afflicted among you, those who bore the reproach for it.

¹⁹ “Behold, at that time, I will bruise all who afflict you. And I will save her who halts and gather her who was cast out. And I will gain them praise and fame in all the lands of their shame.

²⁰ “At that time, I will bring you back. And then I will gather you. For I will give you a name and praise among all people of the Earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes,” says the LORD.