Woe to Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3, verse 1. Alas, the glorious and ransomed city! The dove Zephaniah 3, verse 2. did not listen to the voice, nor did she accept correction, nor did she trust in the Lord, and she did not draw near to her God. Zephaniah 3, verse 3. Her rulers are in her as roaring lions, and her judges are as wolves of Arabia that remain until morning. Zephaniah 3, verse 4. Her prophets borne by the wind, men who are scoffers, the bearers of the spirit, are men who are scorners. Her priests profane the holy things and live contrary to the law. Zephaniah 3, verse 5. But the Lord in her midst is just and will never act unjustly. Morning by morning He will give His judgment in the light, and it is not concealed; He does not grant injustice by extortion nor injustice by strife. Zephaniah 3, verse 6. “I have brought down the arrogant with destruction, and their cornerstones are destroyed. I will make their streets totally desolate, so that none can pass through. Their cities are destroyed because there is no one to live or dwell in them. Zephaniah 3, verse 7. I said, ‘But fear Me and receive instruction, and you will not be completely uprooted from the face of it—for much vengeance I have taken against her.’ Prepare yourself, rise early in the morning, for every last small grape left for the gleaners has been spoiled. Zephaniah 3, verse 8. “On account of this, wait for Me,” says the Lord, “until the day of My rising up as a testimony. For My judgment shall be for the gathering of the nations, to receive kings to pour out upon them all My fierce anger, for all the earth shall be consumed with the fire of My jealousy. Zephaniah 3, verse 9. “For then I shall transform for the people a language for her generation, for all to call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him under one yoke. Zephaniah 3, verse 10. From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia they will bring offerings to Me. Zephaniah 3, verse 11. In that day, you will not be ashamed of all your practices in which you acted profanely against Me. For at that time I will take away from you the contempt of your arrogance, and you shall no longer be haughty upon My holy mountain. Zephaniah 3, verse 12. And I will leave among you a gentle and humble people, who will show reverence to the name of the Lord. Zephaniah 3, verse 13. The remnant of Israel will not commit unrighteousness nor speak vanities; neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they will feed and lie down, and there will be no one terrifying them.”
Promised Blessings for Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3, verse 14. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Be glad and rejoice with your whole heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! Zephaniah 3, verse 15. The Lord has taken away your iniquities and ransomed you from your enemies. The Lord, the King of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer see any evil. Zephaniah 3, verse 16. At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, “O Zion, be of good courage; do not let your hands grow slack. Zephaniah 3, verse 17. The Lord your God is with you. The Mighty One shall save you. He shall bring gladness upon you and will renew you with His love. He will delight over you with joy as in a day of feasting. Zephaniah 3, verse 18. I shall gather together your broken ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her? Zephaniah 3, verse 19. “Behold, at that time I will act among you for your sake,” says the Lord. “I will save the oppressed and welcome those being rejected. I will make them a praise and renowned throughout the whole earth. Zephaniah 3, verse 20. And they shall be put to shame in that day when I do well with you, at the time when I shall receive you, for I will make you praised and renowned among all the peoples of the earth when I return your captivity,” says the Lord.