Zephaniah 3:8-13

The Voice

⁸     To My remaining faithful, I say wait and watch for Me
        because on that day, the nations will be called into court.
    I will rise up against them as My plunder and declare My decision:
        I will call the nations and their rulers together
    And pour out My hot anger and frustration on them.
        All of it will be spent, for the whole earth will be burned up in My fiery jealousy.
⁹     And then I will transform the words spoken by the nations to pure words,
        and the people will finally hear My truth.
    Then all the people will be able to pray to and serve the Eternal One,
        standing together as part of the same people.
¹⁰     My followers, who had been scattered to faraway places as distant as Ethiopia’s rivers,
        will come back to worship Me with pure offerings.

¹¹     When that day comes, you won’t feel embarrassed and ashamed anymore
        over all the rebellious things you did in the past.
    As I said I would, I will remove the proud and arrogant among you.
        Arrogance and pride will never again be tolerated in My holy mountain.
¹²     But I will leave afflicted and poor people among you
        who will trust the reputation of the Eternal One for strength and protection.
¹³     The faithful of Israel who remain will not continue to sin.
        They won’t tell lies or try to trick each other ever again.
    They’ll eat well each day and sleep peacefully each night like protected sheep,
        because nothing will make them afraid.