Zephaniah 3
1This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and thereis no longer anyto be after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of wild beasts! every one that passesthrough her shall hiss, and shake his hands. Alas the glorious and ransomed city. 2The dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in theLord, and she drew not near to her God. 3Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; theyremained not till the morrow. 4Her prophets are lightand scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law. 5But the just Lord is in the midst of her, and he will never do an unjust thing: morningby morning he will bring out his judgment to the light, and it is not hidden, and he knows not injusticeby extortion, nor injustice in strife. 6I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will maketheir ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reasonof no man living or dwellingin them. 7I said, But do you⌃ fear me, and receive instruction, and you⌃ shall not be cut off fromthe face of the landfor all the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare you, rise early: all their produce isspoilt. 8Therefore wait upon me, says the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: becausemy judgmentshall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to me kings, to pour out upon them allmy fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of my jealousy. 9For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call onthe name of the Lord, to serve him under one yoke. 10From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive my dispersed ones; theyshall offer sacrifices to me. 11In that day you shall not be ashamed of all your practices, wherein you have transgressedagainst me: for then will I take away from you your disdainful pride, and you shall no more magnify yourselfupon my holy mountain. 12And I will leave in you a meek and lowly people; 13and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity,neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shallfeed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them. 14Rejoice, O daughter of Sion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delightyourself with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15The Lord has taken away your iniquities, he has ransomed you from the hand of your enemies:the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more. 16At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Sion; let not yourhands be slack. 17The Lord your God is in you; the Mighty One shall save you: he shall bring joy upon you,and shall refresh you with his love; and he shall rejoice over you with delight as in a day of feasting. 18And I will gather your afflicted ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her? 19Behold, Iwill work in you for your sake at that time, says the Lord: and I will save her that was oppressed,and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honored in all the earth. 20Andtheir enemies shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you, and at the timewhen I shall receive you: for I will make you honored and a praise among all the nations of the earth,when I turn back your captivity before you, says the Lord.
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