Zeph 3
1
This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and
there is no longer any to be after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of
wild beasts! Every one that passes through her shall hiss, and shake his hands. Alas
the glorious and ransomed city.
2
The dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not
in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God.
3
Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia;
they remained not till the morrow.
4
Her prophets are Gr. borne of the wind light and scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress
the law.
5
But the just Lord is in the midst of her, and he will never do an unjust thing: morning
by morning he will bring out his judgement to the light, and it is not hidden, and
he knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.
6
I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will
make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are
come to an end, See use of para, 1 Co 12:15, 16 by reason of no man living or dwelling in them.
7
I said, But do you fear me, and See Ps 2. ult receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off from the face of the land
for all
the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare you, rise early: all their produce
is spoilt.
8
Therefore wait upon me, says the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness:
because my judgement shall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to me kings,
to pour out upon them all my fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with
the fire of my jealousy.
9
For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue hrwrb read as hrwdb for her generation, that all may call on the name of the
Lord, to serve him under
one yoke.
10
From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive my dispersed ones; they
shall offer sacrifices to me.
11
In that day you shall not be ashamed of all your practices, wherein you have transgressed
against me: for then will I take away from you your disdainful pride, and you shall
no more magnify yourself upon my holy mountain.
12
And I will leave in you a meek and lowly people;
13
and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity,
neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their
mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.
14
Rejoice, O daughter of Sion; Gr. proclaim, or preach cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight yourself with
all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem.
15
The Lord has taken away your iniquities, he has ransomed you from the hand of your
enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil
any more.
16
At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Sion; let not your
hands be slack.
17
The Lord your God is in you; the Mighty One shall save you: he shall bring joy upon
you, and shall Lit. renew refresh you with his love; and he shall rejoice over you with delight as in a day
of feasting.
18
And I will gather your afflicted ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her?
19
Behold, I will work in you for your sake at that time, says the Lord: and I will save
her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a
praise, and honoured in all the earth.
20
And their enemies shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you,
and at the time when I shall receive you: for I will make you honoured and a praise
among all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, says
the Lord.