Shared Word Translation
Zephaniah 3
Woe to the rebellious and defiled,
the oppressing city!
She has not listened to the voice;
she has not accepted discipline.
She has not trusted in the LORD;
she has not drawn near to her God.
Her officials within her are roaring lions;
her judges are wolves of the evening—
they leave no bones until morning.
Her prophets are reckless, treacherous people;
her priests have profaned what is holy;
they have violated the law.
The LORD is righteous within her;
he does no wrong.
Morning by morning he brings his justice to light;
it does not fail.
Yet the unjust know no shame.
“I have cut off nations;
their strongholds are desolate.
I have laid waste their streets,
with no one passing through.
Their cities are ruined,
without people, without an inhabitant.
I said, ‘Surely you will fear me;
you will accept discipline.’
Then her dwelling would not be cut off—
all that I had decreed against her.
But they rose early
to corrupt all their deeds.
Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD,
“for the day when I rise up for plunder.
For my judgment is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour out on them my indignation,
all the burning of my anger;
for all the earth will be consumed
by the fire of my jealousy.
“For then I will turn the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD,
to serve him shoulder to shoulder.
From beyond the rivers of Cush,
my worshipers—the daughter of my scattered ones—
will bring my offering.
On that day you will not be ashamed
of all your deeds by which you rebelled against me,
for then I will remove from your midst
those who exult in your pride,
and you will no longer be haughty
on my holy mountain.
But I will leave in your midst
a people poor and lowly,
and they will take refuge
in the name of the LORD.
The remnant of Israel will do no wrong
and speak no lie,
nor will a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouths.
For they will pasture and lie down,
with no one to make them afraid.
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed your judgments;
he has turned away your enemy.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you will fear disaster no more.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands grow slack.
The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will be silent in his love;
he will exult over you with singing.”
“I have gathered those grieving over the appointed festival;
they were from you.
Reproach was a burden upon her.
Look, at that time I will deal
with all who oppress you.
I will save the one who limps
and gather the outcast;
and I will make them praise and renown
in every land where they were put to shame.
At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you.
For I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,”
says the LORD.