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

“Therefore (A)wait for Me,” declares the Lord,
“For the day when I rise up as a witness.
Indeed, My decision is to (B)gather nations,
To assemble kingdoms,
To pour out on them My indignation,
All My burning anger;
For (C)all the earth will be devoured
By the fire of My zeal.
For then I will [a]restore to the peoples (D)pure lips,
So that all of them may (E)call on the name of the Lord,
To serve Him [b]shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of (F)Ethiopia
My worshipers, [c]My dispersed ones,
Will (G)bring My offerings.
11 On that day you will (H)feel no shame
Because of all your deeds
By which you have rebelled against Me;
For then I will remove from your midst
Your (I)proud, arrogant ones,
And you will never again be haughty
On My (J)holy mountain.

A Remnant of Israel

12 But I will leave among you
A (K)humble and lowly people,
And they will (L)take refuge in the name of the Lord.
13 The (M)remnant of Israel will (N)do no wrong
And (O)tell no lies,
Nor will a deceitful tongue
Be found in their mouths;
For they will (P)feed and lie down
With no one to frighten them.”

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:9 Lit change
  2. Zephaniah 3:9 Lit with one shoulder
  3. Zephaniah 3:10 Lit the daughter of My dispersed ones