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A Song of Joy

14 Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel!
    Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has stopped your punishment;
    he has removed all your enemies.
The Lord, the king of Israel, is with you;
    there is no reason now to be afraid.
16 The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem,
    “Do not be afraid, city of Zion!
    Do not let your hands hang limp!
17 The Lord your God is with you;
    his power gives you victory.
The Lord will take delight in you,
    and in his love he will give you new life.[a]
He will sing and be joyful over you,
18     as joyful as people at a festival.”
The Lord says,
“I have ended the threat of doom
    and taken away your disgrace.[b]
19 The time is coming!
I will punish your oppressors;
    I will rescue all the lame
    and bring the exiles home.
I will turn their shame to honor,
    and all the world will praise them.
20 The time is coming!
I will bring your scattered people home;
    I will make you famous throughout the world
    and make you prosperous once again.”
The Lord has spoken.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:17 Some ancient translations give you new life; Hebrew be silent.
  2. Zephaniah 3:18 Verse 18 in Hebrew is unclear.

14 Sing, Daughter Zion;(A)
    shout aloud,(B) Israel!
Be glad and rejoice(C) 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;(D)
    never again will you fear(E) any harm.(F)
16 On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.(G)
17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.(H)
He will take great delight(I) in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,(J)
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”(K)

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(L) you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.(M)
I will give them praise(N) and honor
    in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring(O) you home.
I will give you honor(P) and praise(Q)
    among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes[a](R)
    before your very eyes,”
says the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:20 Or I bring back your captives