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Seek the Lord,
    all you humble of the land[a]
    who obey his commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
    then perhaps you may find shelter
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.
[b]For Gaza will be deserted
    and Ashkelon will be reduced to ruins.
The people of Ashdod will be driven out at midday,
    and Ekron will be uprooted.[c]
Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast,
    you nation of the Cherethites.
This is the word of the Lord against you:
    “I will destroy you, land of the Philistines,
    until not a single inhabitant remains.”

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 2:3 Humble of the land: those called, in Hebrew, the anawim, who have such an important place in the Bible.
  2. Zephaniah 2:4 In the style of the time, all these harsh oracles are assertions of the greatness of God as compared with any human power; they are also an assurance that the chosen people still have a mission, despite all their moral degradation.
  3. Zephaniah 2:4 The cities named were Philistine cities, to the west of Judah. Along with Gath, which is not mentioned, they formed a confederation of coastal cities.

Seek(A) the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness,(B) seek humility;(C)
    perhaps you will be sheltered(D)
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Philistia

Gaza(E) will be abandoned
    and Ashkelon(F) left in ruins.
At midday Ashdod will be emptied
    and Ekron uprooted.
Woe to you who live by the sea,
    you Kerethite(G) people;
the word of the Lord is against you,(H)
    Canaan, land of the Philistines.
He says, “I will destroy you,
    and none will be left.”(I)

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