Zephaniah 1:1-9 ▼

1 This message from the LORD came to Cushi's son Zephaniah, the grandson of Gedaliah and great-grandson of Hezekiah's son Amariah, during the reign of Amon's son Josiah, king of Judah:

2 |I'll utterly sweep away everything from the land,| declares the LORD.

3 |I'll consume both human beings and animals— I'll consume the birds of the sky, the fish in the sea, and the wicked along with their sin, when I eliminate human beings from the land,| declares the LORD.

4 |I will also stretch out my hand against Judah, and upon all inhabitants of Jerusalem. I'll wipe out every trace of Baal from this place, and the name of the pagan priests , along with my own priests.

5 I'll wipe out those who worship the stars that they view from their housetops, those who bow down and swear to the LORD and who also swear by Milcom,

6 those who turn away from the LORD, don't seek the LORD, and never ask for his help. |

7 Remain silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, because the Day of the LORD approaches, and because the LORD has prepared a sacrifice for those whom he has invited to be consecrated.

8 |It will come about during the LORD's sacrifice that I'll punish the officials, the royal descendants, and all who wear foreign clothing.

9 At the same time, I'll punish every idol worshipper, especially those who are filling their master's temple with violence and deceit.