1 Woe to the city of oppressors,rebellious and defiled!
2 She obeys no one,she accepts no correction.She does not trust in the Lord,she does not draw near to her God.
3 Her officials within herare roaring lions;her rulers are evening wolves,who leave nothing for the morning.
4 Her prophets are unprincipled;they are treacherous people.Her priests profane the sanctuaryand do violence to the law.
5 The Lord within her is righteous;he does no wrong.Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,and every new day he does not fail,yet the unrighteous know no shame.
6 ‘I have destroyed nations;their strongholds are demolished.I have left their streets deserted,with no one passing through.Their cities are laid waste;they are deserted and empty.
7 Of Jerusalem I thought,“Surely you will fear meand accept correction!”Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed,nor all my punishments come upon her.But they were still eagerto act corruptly in all they did.
8 Therefore wait for me,’declares the Lord,‘for the day I will stand up to testify.I have decided to assemble the nations,to gather the kingdomsand to pour out my wrath on them –all my fierce anger.The whole world will be consumedby the fire of my jealous anger.
9 ‘Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,that all of them may call on the name of the Lordand serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cushmy worshippers, my scattered people,will bring me offerings.
11 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shamefor all the wrongs you have done to me,because I will remove from youyour arrogant boasters.Never again will you be haughtyon my holy hill.
12 But I will leave within youthe meek and humble.The remnant of Israelwill trust in the name of the Lord.
13 They will do no wrong;they will tell no lies.A deceitful tonguewill not be found in their mouths.They will eat and lie downand no one will make them afraid.’
14 Sing, Daughter Zion;shout aloud, Israel!Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,he has turned back your enemy.The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that daythey will say to Jerusalem,‘Do not fear, Zion;do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you,the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you,but will rejoice over you with singing.’
18 ‘I will remove from youall who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 At that time I will dealwith all who oppressed you.I will rescue the lame;I will gather the exiles.I will give them praise and honourin every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;at that time I will bring you home.I will give you honour and praiseamong all the peoples of the earthwhen I restore your fortunesbefore your very eyes,’says the Lord.Footnotes for the Book of Zephaniaha 7 Or will bring back their captivesb 12 That is, people from the upper Nile region