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Zephaniah 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2009 (HCSB)

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1 Woe to the city that is rebellious [1] ⓐ and defiled, ⓑ the oppressive city!
2 She has not obeyed; ⓒ she has not accepted discipline. ⓓ She has not trusted ⓔ in Yahweh; she has not drawn near to her God.
3 The [2] princes within her are roaring lions; ⓕ her judges are wolves of the night, ⓖ which leave nothing for [3] the morning.
4 Her prophets are reckless ⓗ — treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction. ⓘ
5 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. ⓛ
6 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. ⓝ
7 I thought: You will certainly fear Me and accept correction. Then her dwelling place [4] would not be cut off based on all that I had allocated to her. However, they became more corrupt in all their actions.
8 Therefore, wait for Me ⓞ — — this is the LORD’s declaration — until the day I rise up for plunder. [5] 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. ⓠ
9 For I will then restore pure ⓡ speech to the peoples so that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve Him with a single purpose. [6]
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush ⓢ My supplicants, My dispersed people, will bring an offering to Me.
11 On that day you [7] will not be put to shame ⓣ because of everything you have done in rebelling ⓤ against Me. For then I will remove your proud, ⓥ arrogant people from among you, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain. ⓦ
12 I will leave a meek and humble people ⓧ among you, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.
13 The remnant ⓨ of Israel will no longer do wrong or tell lies; a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. But they will pasture and lie down, with nothing to make them afraid. ⓩ
14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has removed your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. ⓐ
17 Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior ⓑ who saves. He will rejoice over you ⓒ with gladness. He will bring you quietness [8] with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” ⓓ
18 I will gather those who have been driven ⓔ from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you [9] and a reproach on her. [10]
19 Yes, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame ⓕ and gather the scattered; ⓖ I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame.
20 At that time I will bring you [11] 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. Yahweh has spoken.