Zephaniah 3
1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she
trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening
wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have
polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity:
every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the
unjust knoweth no shame.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made
their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that
there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction;
so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they
rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, 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 people a pure language, that they may
all call upon the name of the LORD, 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 shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings,
wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the
midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
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 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine
enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt
not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to
Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save,
he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over
thee with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly,
who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I
will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get
them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I
gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the
earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
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