Zeph 3
1
Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city!
2
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in YHWH; she
drew not near to her God.
3
Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they leave nothing till the morrow.
4
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary,
they have done violence to the law.
5
YHWH in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning does
he bring his justice to light, he fails not; but the unjust knows no shame.
6
I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets
waste, so that none passes by; their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man,
so that there is no inhabitant.
7
I said, Only fear you me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off,
[according to] all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and corrupted
all their doings.
8
Therefore wait you for me, says YHWH, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for
my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour
upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured
with the fire of my jealousy.
9
For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon
the name of YHWH, to serve him with one consent.
10
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed,
shall bring mine offering.
11
In that day shall you not be put to shame for all your doings, wherein you have transgressed
against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of you your proudly exulting
ones, and you shall no more be haughty in my holy mountain.
12
But I will leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they shall
take refuge in the name of YHWH.
13
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make
them afraid.
14
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem.
15
YHWH has taken away your judgments, he has cast out your enemy: the King of Israel,
even YHWH, is in the midst of you; you shall not fear evil any more.
16
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear you not; O Zion, let not your hands
be slack.
17
YHWH your God is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice
over you with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over you with singing.
18
I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of you; [to whom]
the burden upon her was a reproach.
19
Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict you; and I will save that
which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise
and a name, whose shame has been in all the earth.
20
At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will make
you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your
captivity before your eyes, says YHWH.