KJ3 Literal Translation
Zephaniah 3
A sharp reproof of Jerusalem for their sins. An exhortation to wait for the restoration of Israel.
1Woe to her rebelling and being defiled, to the oppressing city!
2She did not listen to the voice; she did not receive correction; she did not trust in Jehovah; she did not draw near to her God.
3Her rulers within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they do not gnaw bones for the morning.
4Her prophets are proud, men of deceit; her priests have polluted the sanctuary; they have done violence to the Law.
5Jehovah, the righteous One is in her midst; He will not do injustice. Morning by morning He gives His judgment to the light; He does not fail, but the unjust one knows no shame.
6I have cut off nations; their towers are ruined. I made their streets waste, so that none passes by. Their cities are laid waste, that there is not a man, from there being not one living there.
7I said, Surely you will fear Me; you will receive correction; then her dwelling shall not be cut off, all that I appointed for her. But they rose up early; they corrupted all their doings.
8Therefore, wait for Me, a statement of Jehovah, for the day I rise up to the prey. For My judgment is to gather the nations, for Me to assemble the kingdoms, to pour My fury out on them, all the heat of My anger. For all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.
9For then I will turn a clear lip to the peoples, to call all of them by the name of Jehovah, to serve Him with one shoulder.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, My worshipers, the daughter of My scattered ones, shall bring My food offering.
11In that day you shall not be ashamed from all your doings in which you have transgressed against Me. For then I will take away those who rejoice in your pride out of your midst, and you shall not again be exalted any more in My holy mountain.
12I will also leave a poor and weak people in your midst, and they shall trust in the name of Jehovah.
13The remnant of Israel shall not do injustice, and not speak lies. And a deceitful tongue shall not be found in their mouth. For they shall feed and lie down, and no one is terrifying them.
14Shout for joy, daughter of Zion; shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
15Jehovah has turned aside your judgments; He has turned back your enemy. Jehovah, the King of Israel, is in your midst; you shall not fear evil any more.
16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not! Zion, do not let your hands droop.
17Jehovah your God is a mighty One in your midst; He will save. He will rejoice over you with joy; He is silent in His love. He rejoices over you with a joyful shout.
18I will gather the ones afflicted from the appointed place; they were from you, a lifting up of reproach over her.
19Behold, at that time I will deal with all those afflicting you. And I will save her who is lame, and gather her being thrust out. And I will give them for a praise and fo a name in all the land of their shame.
20In that time I will bring you, even in the time I gather you. For I will give you for a name and for a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, says Jehovah.
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