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Zephaniah, 3

1. Disaster to the rebellious, the befouled, the tyrannical city!

1. Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

2. She has not listened to the call, she has not bowed to correction, she has not trusted in Yahweh, she has not drawn near to her God.

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

3. The rulers she has are roaring lions, her judges are wolves of the wastelands which leave nothing over for the morning,

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 braggarts, impostors, her priests have profaned what is holy and violated the Law.

4. Her prophets [are] light [and] treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5. Yahweh the Upright is in her, he does no wrong; morning by morning he gives judgement, each dawn unfailingly (but the wrong-doer knows no shame).

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 exterminated the nations, their corner-towers lie in ruins; I have emptied their streets, no one walks through them; their cities have been destroyed and are now deserted and unpeopled.

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 thought, 'At least you will fear me, at least you will bow to correction,' and none of the punishments I brought on them will disappear from their view. But no, it only made them more anxious to do whatever was corrupt.

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. So wait for me -- declares Yahweh -- for the day when I rise as accuser, for I am determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and on you to vent my fury, the whole heat of my anger (for the whole earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy).

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. Yes, then I shall purge the lips of the peoples, so that all may invoke the name of Yahweh and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

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 will bring me tribute.

10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, [even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

11. When that Day comes you will never again be ashamed of all the deeds with which you once rebelled against me, for I shall rid you of those who exult in your pride; never again will you strut on my holy mountain.

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. But in you I shall leave surviving a humble and lowly people,

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. and those who are left in Israel will take refuge in the name of Yahweh. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to alarm them.

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. Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

14. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15. Yahweh has repealed your sentence; he has turned your enemy away. Yahweh is king among you, Israel, you have nothing more to fear.

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. When that Day comes, the message for Jerusalem will be: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp.

16. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

17. Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Saviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you,

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. as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it.

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. I am taking action here and now against your oppressors. When that time comes I will rescue the lame, and gather the strays, and I will win them praise and renown when I restore their fortunes.

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 I shall be your guide, at the time when I gather you in, I shall give you praise and renown among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes, declares Yahweh.

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.



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Footnotes:

3:1-5 - Zephaniah begins the chapter by denouncing the corruption and violence of Jerusalem, which had turned away from God. Social and spiritual sin is a reflection of rebellion against divine holiness. God's judgment is inevitable for a city that rejects His authority (see also Isaiah 1:21-23 and Jeremiah 7:1-11).

3:6-8 - God's judgment on the nations is expanded upon, with the promise that on the "Day of the Lord" all will be judged by His righteousness. God's sovereignty over all nations is emphasized, and the call to patience is an exhortation to repent before it is too late (see also Isaiah 34:1-8 and Malachi 4:1).

3:9-13 - The promise of restoration for the remnant of people who repent and seek God in truth. God will purify the hearts of His people, making them humble and faithful. This promise of renewal is an expression of God's love and mercy (see also Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Isaiah 56:7).

3:14-20 - Zephaniah closes the book with a message of joy and restoration. God promises to gather the exiles and bring peace and security to His people. Restoration is a manifestation of God's faithfulness to His promises and an invitation to celebrate His grace and power (see also Isaiah 25:6-9 and Revelation 21:1-4).

Verses related to Zephaniah, 3:

Zephaniah chapter 3 concludes with a message of hope and restoration. How does God transform judgment into joy? This inspiring text begins with accusations against Jerusalem, but culminates with promises of purification and blessing. The chapter reveals God's character as a just judge and loving redeemer, highlighting His presence among His people. Zephaniah 3 addresses themes such as repentance, spiritual renewal, and the glorious future of Zion. Consider with us five biblical passages that deepen the meaning of this transformative chapter.

Isaiah 12:6: "Shout loudly and sing for joy, inhabitants of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." - This verse from Isaiah reflects the theme of joy and restoration found at the end of Zephaniah 3, where God is described as being in the midst of his people.

Ezekiel 37:26-27: "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will place my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people." - This promise from Ezekiel echoes the promises of restoration and God's presence among his people found in Zephaniah 3.

Revelation 21:3-4: "And I heard a loud voice coming from the throne saying, 'Now the tabernacle of God is with men, with whom he will live. They will be your people; God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from your eyes. There will be no more death, nor sadness, nor crying, nor pain, for the old order has passed away.'" - This vision of Revelation reflects the themes of restoration and God's presence among his people found at the end of Zephaniah 3.

Micah 4:6-7: "In that day,' declares the Lord, 'I will gather together the lame; I will gather the scattered and those I have afflicted. I will make the crippled a remnant, the scattered a strong nation. The Lord will reign over them on Mount Zion from that day and forever.'" - Micah's promise to gather and restore the remnant has parallels with the promises of restoration in Zephaniah 3.

Romans 11:26-27: "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The redeemer will come from Zion, who will turn away wickedness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'" - Paul cites the Old Testament to speak of Israel's future salvation, echoing the themes of restoration found in Zephaniah 3.

FAQ:

What does Zephaniah 3 say about the purification of Jerusalem?

Zephaniah 3 predicts that Jerusalem will be cleansed of sin and corruption. God will restore the city and bring peace after the judgment. (Zephaniah 3:9-13)

How will God restore the remnant of Israel?

God will gather the exiles and purify his people. The remnant will live in obedience and righteousness, praising God for his mercy. (Zephaniah 3:11-13)

What is the promise of joy in Zephaniah 3?

God promises that after the judgment, His people will be filled with joy. He will dwell among them, and the city will be celebrated because of His presence. (Zephaniah 3:14-20)

What does it mean that God will "take the shame" of His people?

God promises to take the shame from His people, restoring their dignity and honor. They will no longer be humiliated by their past actions. (Zephaniah 3:19)

How will God rejoice over His people, according to Zephaniah 3?

God will rejoice with His people, singing and celebrating with them. The Lord will rejoice in His restoration and in His presence among the faithful. (Zephaniah 3:17)


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