Zephaniah 3:1-10 ▼

1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The oppressive city!

2 She did not listen to any voice; She did not receive discipline. She did not trust in Yahweh; She did not draw near to her God.

3 Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves at evening; They leave nothing to gnaw for the morning.

4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

5 Yahweh is righteous in her midst; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

6 “I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are desolate. I have made their streets a waste, With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.

7 I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, Receive discipline.’ So her abode will not be cut off According to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds.

8 “Therefore wait for Me,” declares Yahweh, “For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My judgment is to assemble nations, To gather kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.

9 For then I will change them to peoples with purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of Yahweh, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My scattered ones, Will bring My offerings.