Therefore wait(A) for me,”
    declares the Lord,
    “for the day I will stand up to testify.[a]
I have decided to assemble(B) the nations,(C)
    to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath(D) on them—
    all my fierce anger.(E)
The whole world will be consumed(F)
    by the fire of my jealous anger.

Restoration of Israel’s Remnant

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call(G) on the name of the Lord(H)
    and serve(I) him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush[b](J)
    my worshipers, my scattered people,
    will bring me offerings.(K)
11 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame(L)
    for all the wrongs you have done to me,(M)
because I will remove from you
    your arrogant boasters.(N)
Never again will you be haughty
    on my holy hill.(O)
12 But I will leave within you
    the meek(P) and humble.
The remnant of Israel
    will trust(Q) in the name of the Lord.
13 They(R) will do no wrong;(S)
    they will tell no lies.(T)
A deceitful tongue
    will not be found in their mouths.(U)
They will eat and lie down(V)
    and no one will make them afraid.(W)

14 Sing, Daughter Zion;(X)
    shout aloud,(Y) Israel!
Be glad and rejoice(Z) with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;(AA)
    never again will you fear(AB) any harm.(AC)
16 On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.(AD)
17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.(AE)
He will take great delight(AF) in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,(AG)
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”(AH)

18 “I will remove from you
    all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
    which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 At that time I will deal
    with all who oppressed(AI) you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.(AJ)
I will give them praise(AK) and honor
    in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring(AL) you home.
I will give you honor(AM) and praise(AN)
    among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes[c](AO)
    before your very eyes,”
says the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:8 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew will rise up to plunder
  2. Zephaniah 3:10 That is, the upper Nile region
  3. Zephaniah 3:20 Or I bring back your captives

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