VerseAI

NIV

Zephaniah 3

  1. 1<pb/><t>Woe to the city of oppressors,</t> <t>rebellious and defiled!</t>
  2. 2<t>She obeys no one,</t> <t>she accepts no correction.</t> <t>She does not trust in the LORD,</t> <t>she does not draw near to her God.</t>
  3. 3<t>Her officials within her</t> <t>are roaring lions;</t> <t>her rulers are evening wolves,</t> <t>who leave nothing for the morning.</t>
  4. 4<t>Her prophets are unprincipled;</t> <t>they are treacherous people.</t> <t>Her priests profane the sanctuary</t> <t>and do violence to the law.</t>
  5. 5<t>The LORD within her is righteous;</t> <t>he does no wrong.</t> <t>Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,</t> <t>and every new day he does not fail,</t> <t>yet the unrighteous know no shame.</t>
  6. 6<t>“I have destroyed nations;</t> <t>their strongholds are demolished.</t> <t>I have left their streets deserted,</t> <t>with no one passing through.</t> <t>Their cities are laid waste;</t> <t>they are deserted and empty.</t>
  7. 7<t>Of Jerusalem I thought,</t> <t>‘Surely you will fear me</t> <t>and accept correction!’</t> <t>Then her place of refuge<f>[8]</f> would not be destroyed,</t> <t>nor all my punishments come upon<f>[9]</f> her.</t> <t>But they were still eager</t> <t>to act corruptly in all they did.</t>
  8. 8<t>Therefore wait for me,”</t> <t>declares the LORD,</t> <t>“for the day I will stand up to testify.<f>[10]</f></t> <t>I have decided to assemble the nations,</t> <t>to gather the kingdoms</t> <t>and to pour out my wrath on them—</t> <t>all my fierce anger.</t> <t>The whole world will be consumed</t> <t>by the fire of my jealous anger.</t>
  9. 9<t>“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,</t> <t>that all of them may call on the name of the LORD</t> <t>and serve him shoulder to shoulder.</t>
  10. 10<t>From beyond the rivers of Cush<f>[11]</f></t> <t>my worshipers, my scattered people,</t> <t>will bring me offerings.</t>
  11. 11<t>On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame</t> <t>for all the wrongs you have done to me,</t> <t>because I will remove from you</t> <t>your arrogant boasters.</t> <t>Never again will you be haughty</t> <t>on my holy hill.</t>
  12. 12<t>But I will leave within you</t> <t>the meek and humble.</t> <t>The remnant of Israel</t> <t>will trust in the name of the LORD.</t>
  13. 13<t>They will do no wrong;</t> <t>they will tell no lies.</t> <t>A deceitful tongue</t> <t>will not be found in their mouths.</t> <t>They will eat and lie down</t> <t>and no one will make them afraid.” <pb/></t>
  14. 14<t>Sing, Daughter Zion;</t> <t>shout aloud, Israel!</t> <t>Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,</t> <t>Daughter Jerusalem!</t>
  15. 15<t>The LORD has taken away your punishment,</t> <t>he has turned back your enemy.</t> <t>The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;</t> <t>never again will you fear any harm.</t>
  16. 16<t>On that day</t> <t>they will say to Jerusalem,</t> <t>“Do not fear, Zion;</t> <t>do not let your hands hang limp.</t>
  17. 17<t>The LORD your God is with you,</t> <t>the Mighty Warrior who saves.</t> <t>He will take great delight in you;</t> <t>in his love he will no longer rebuke you,</t> <t>but will rejoice over you with singing.” <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>“I will remove from you</t> <t>all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,</t> <t>which is a burden and reproach for you.</t>
  19. 19<t>At that time I will deal</t> <t>with all who oppressed you.</t> <t>I will rescue the lame;</t> <t>I will gather the exiles.</t> <t>I will give them praise and honor</t> <t>in every land where they have suffered shame.</t>
  20. 20<t>At that time I will gather you;</t> <t>at that time I will bring you home.</t> <t>I will give you honor and praise</t> <t>among all the peoples of the earth</t> <t>when I restore your fortunes<f>[12]</f></t> <t>before your very eyes,”</t> <t>says the LORD.</t>