Zephaniah 3

1Woe to the rebellious and defiled city, the oppressing one!

2She did not obey the voice; she did not accept correction. She did not trust in Yahweh; she did not draw near to her God.

3Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing for the morning.

4Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests have profaned the holy; they have done violence to the law.

5Yahweh is righteous in her midst; he does no injustice. Morning by morning he brings his justice to light; it does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

6I have cut off nations; their corner towers are laid waste. I have made their streets desolate, with no one passing through. Their cities are devastated, without a man, with no inhabitant.

7I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then her dwelling would not be cut off, according to all that I had appointed against her.’ But instead, they rose early; they corrupted all their deeds.

8Therefore wait for me, declares Yahweh, 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 my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth will be consumed.

9For then I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, so that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve him with one accord.

10From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, will bring my offering.

11On that day you will not be put to shame because 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.

12But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

13The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and speak no lies, and no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouth; for they will graze and lie down, with no one to make them afraid.

14Sing for joy, daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem!

15Yahweh has taken away your judgments; he has turned away your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is in your midst; you will fear evil no more.

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

17Yahweh your God is in your midst, a mighty one who saves; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will be quiet in his love; he will exult over you with singing.

18I have gathered those grieving over the appointed festival from you; they were a reproach upon her, a burden.

19Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors, and I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will make them a praise and a name in every land where they were put to shame.

20At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says Yahweh.