KJ3 Literal Translation
Zephaniah 2
An exhortation to repentance. The judgment of the Philistines, of Moab and Ammon, of Ethiopia and Assyria.
1Gather yourselves, even gather, O nation not being longed for;
2before the birth of the decree, the day shall pass like the chaff, yet not before the heat of the anger of Jehovah comes on you, yet not before the day of the anger of Jehovah comes on you.
3Seek Jehovah, all the humble ones of the earth who have done His judgment; seek righteousness; seek meekness. It may be you shall be hidden in the day of the anger of Jehovah.
4For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They shall drive Ashdod out at the noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
5Woe to those living on the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The Word of Jehovah is against you, Canaan, the land of the Philistines; I will cause you to perish, so as not one shall be living in it.
6And the seacoast shall be pastures, meadows for feeding, and folds for the flock.
7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed on them. In the houses of Ashkelon, they shall lie down in the evening, for Jehovah their God shall care for them and turn back their captivity.
8I have heard the scorn of Moab, and the revilings of the sons of Ammon, with which they have cursed My people and have magnified themselves on their border.
9Therefore, as I live, a statement of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and a pit of salt, and a ruin to forever. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, and the rest of the nation shall possess them.
10This shall be to them for their pride, because they have cursed and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts.
11Jehovah will be frightening to them, for He will make lean all the gods of the earth; each man from his place, and all the isles of the nations will bow to Him.
12You also, O Ethiopians, they are pierced by My sword.
13And He will stretch out His hand against the north, and make perish Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, dry like the desert.
14And flocks shall lie down in her midst; every beast of a nation; both the pelican and the bittern shall lodge in the capitals of its pillar. A voice shall sing at the window; ruin shall be at the doorsill; for He will bare the cedar work.
15This is the joyful city, dwelling confidently, the one saying in her heart, I am, and none other still is. How she has become a ruin, a resting place for animals! Everyone who passes near her shall hiss; he shall shake his hand!
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