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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:8 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew will rise up to plunder
  2. Zephaniah 3:10 That is, the upper Nile region

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 Yahweh
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
your proud,(H) arrogant people from among you,
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 Yahweh.
13 The remnant(K) of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
But they will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.(L)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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