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.
