Zephaniah 3 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Woe to the city that is rebellious[fn] and defiled,

the oppressive city!

She has not obeyed;

she has not accepted discipline.

She has not trusted in the LORD;

she has not drawn near to her God.

The[fn] princes within her are roaring lions;

her judges are wolves of the night,

which leave nothing for[fn] the morning.

Her prophets are reckless —

treacherous men.

Her priests profane the sanctuary;

they do violence to instruction.

The righteous LORD is in her;

he does no wrong.

He applies his justice morning by morning;

he does not fail at dawn,

yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.

I have cut off nations;

their corner towers are destroyed.

I have laid waste their streets,

with no one to pass through.

Their cities lie devastated,

without a person, without an inhabitant.

I said: You will certainly fear me

and accept correction.

Then her dwelling place[fn]

would not be cut off

based on all that I had allocated to her.

However, they became more corrupt

in all their actions.

Therefore, wait for me —

this is the LORD’s declaration —

until the day I rise up for plunder.[fn]

For my decision is to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

in order to pour out my indignation on them,

all my burning anger;

for the whole earth will be consumed

by the fire of my jealousy.

For I will then restore

pure speech to the peoples

so that all of them may call

on the name of the LORD

and serve him with a single purpose.[fn]

From beyond the rivers of Cush

my supplicants, my dispersed people,

will bring an offering to me.

On that day you[fn] will not be put to shame

because of everything you have done

in rebelling against me.

For then I will remove

from among you your jubilant, arrogant people,

and you will never again be haughty

on my holy mountain.

I will leave

a meek and humble people among you,

and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.

The remnant of Israel will no longer

do wrong or tell lies;

a deceitful tongue will not be found

in their mouths.

They will pasture and lie down,

with nothing to make them afraid.

Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;

shout loudly, Israel!

Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,

Daughter Jerusalem!

The LORD has removed your punishment;

he has turned back your enemy.

The King of Israel, the LORD, is among you;

you need no longer fear harm.

On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:

“Do not fear;

Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.

“The LORD your God is among you,

a warrior who saves.

He will rejoice over you with gladness.

He will be quiet[fn] in his love.

He will delight in you with singing.”

I will gather those who have been driven

from the appointed festivals;

they will be a tribute from you[fn]

and a reproach on her.[fn]

Yes, at that time

I will deal with all who oppress you.

I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;

I will make those who were disgraced

throughout the earth

receive praise and fame.

At that time I will bring you[fn] back,

yes, at the time I will gather you.

I will give you fame and praise

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.

The LORD has spoken.