13 for it is (A)God who is at work in you, both to [a]desire and to work (B)for His good pleasure.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:13 Or be willing

Rejoicing Together

12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

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13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] [a]God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:13 God supports the believer, but it is the believer’s responsibility to do what he has been called by God to do.

17 The Lord your God is (A)in your midst,
A [a](B)victorious warrior.
He will (C)rejoice over you with joy,
He will [b]be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
18 I will gather those who are (D)worried about the appointed feasts—
They [c]came from you, Zion;
The disgrace of exile is a burden on [d]them.
19 Behold, I am going to deal at that time
With all your (E)oppressors;
I will save (F)those who limp
And gather the scattered,
And I will turn their (G)shame into (H)praise and fame
In all the earth.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:17 Lit A warrior who saves
  2. Zephaniah 3:17 Or with some ancient versions, renew you in
  3. Zephaniah 3:18 Lit were
  4. Zephaniah 3:18 Lit her

God Is Present Among You

16-17 Jerusalem will be told:
    “Don’t be afraid.
Dear Zion,
    don’t despair.
Your God is present among you,
    a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love
    and delight you with his songs.

* * *

18-20 “The accumulated sorrows of your exile
    will dissipate.
I, your God, will get rid of them for you.
    You’ve carried those burdens long enough.
At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those
    who’ve made your life miserable.
I’ll heal the maimed;
    I’ll bring home the homeless.
In the very countries where they were hated
    they will be venerated.
On Judgment Day
    I’ll bring you back home—a great family gathering!
You’ll be famous and honored
    all over the world.
You’ll see it with your own eyes—
    all those painful partings turned into reunions!”
        God’s Promise.

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17 
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
A Warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with joy;
He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
18 
“I will gather those [Israelites in captivity] who grieve about the appointed feasts—
They came from you, [O Zion];
On whom the reproach [of exile] is a burden.
19 
“Behold, at that time I am going to deal
With all your oppressors;
I will save the lame
And gather the scattered,
And I will turn their shame into praise and renown
In every land [where they have suffered].(A)

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