Therefore, wait for me(A)
this is the Lord’s declaration—
until the day I rise up for plunder.[a]
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
in order to pour out my indignation(B) on them,
all my burning anger;
for the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of my jealousy.(C)

Final Restoration Promised

For I will then restore
pure(D) speech to the peoples
so that all of them may call
on the name of the Lord
and serve him with a single purpose.[b]
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush(E)
my supplicants, my dispersed people,
will bring an offering to me.
11 On that day you[c] will not be put to shame(F)
because of everything you have done
in rebelling(G) against me.
For then I will remove
from among you your jubilant,(H) arrogant people,
and you will never again be haughty
on my holy mountain.(I)
12 I will leave
a meek and humble people(J) among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnant(K) of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:8 LXX, Syr read for a witness; Vg reads up forever
  2. 3:9 Lit with one shoulder
  3. 3:11 = Israel

The Future Deliverance of Israel

“Just you wait!” declares the Lord.
    “The day will come when I stand up as a prosecutor,[a]
for I am determined to assemble the nations
    and to gather the kingdoms,
in order to pour out my indignation upon them—
    all of my fierce anger.
All the earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.
Indeed, then I will return my people to a pure language[b]
    so that they all may call upon the name of the Lord,
        serving him with a united will.[c]

10 “From beyond the rivers of Sudan[d] my worshipers[e]
    including my dispersed people—
        will present offerings to me.
11 When this happens,[f] you will not be ashamed of your actions
    by which you sinned against me,
because I will remove from among you those who revel in pride.
    Arrogance will have no place in my holy mountain.
12 I will keep a humble and gentle people among you,
    and they will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 The survivors of Israel will not practice lawlessness
    nor tell lies,
nor will a deceitful message be found in their mouths,
    because they will eat and rest,
        with no one to cause fear.”

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:8 Or witness
  2. Zephaniah 3:9 Or to pure lips
  3. Zephaniah 3:9 Lit. shoulder
  4. Zephaniah 3:10 Or Ethiopia; Lit. Cush
  5. Zephaniah 3:10 Lit. incense burners
  6. Zephaniah 3:11 Lit. On that day