Zephaniah 3:1-13 ▼

1 OH, the famous city, the saved city; the city of Jonah!

2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not discipline; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

3 Her princes within her are roaring like lions; her judges are like evening wolves; they wait not for the morning.

4 Her prophets are wanton and treacherous persons; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5 But the just LORD is in her midst; he will not do iniquity; every morning he brings his justice to light, he is never late; but the wicked knows no shame.

6 I have destroyed the nations and removed the misery; I have made their streets waste, so that no one walks in them; their cities are desolate, without a man and without the inhabitants.

7 I said, Surely they will worship me, they will accept discipline from me; and she will not fail to see of all that I have decreed concerning her; but they hastened and corrupted all their doings.

8 Therefore wait for me, says the LORD, until the day when I rise up to give testimony; for my judgment is at hand, to gather the nations and to bring the kingdoms near, to pour out my indignation upon them, even all my fierce anger; for in the fire of my zeal shall all the earth be devoured.

9 For then I will restore to the people a pure speech, that they may call upon the name of the LORD to serve him with one consent.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia they shall bring me sacrifices.

11 In that day you shall not be ashamed for all your doings wherein you have transgressed against me; for then I will remove from the midst of you the might of your pride, and you shall no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

12 I will also leave in the midst of you an afflicted and humble 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 harm them.