Zep 2:2-3 | NET2full | STEP | before God’s decree becomes reality and the day of opportunity disappears like windblown chaff , before the Lord ’s raging anger overtakes you— before the day of the Lord ’s angry judgment overtakes you!

Zephaniah 2:2-3

2 before God’s decree becomes reality ^{▼▼tn Heb “before the giving birth of a decree.” For various alternative readings, see J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 187-88.} and the day of opportunity disappears like windblown chaff, ^{▼▼tn The second half of the line reads literally, “like chaff it passes by a day.” The translation above assumes the “day” is the brief time God is giving the nation to repent. The comparison of this quickly passing opportunity to chaff is consistent with the straw imagery of v. 1.}
before the Lord’s raging anger ^{▼▼tn Heb “the fury of the anger of the Lord.” The synonyms are combined to emphasize the extreme degree of the Lord’s anger.} overtakes ^{▼▼tn Heb “comes upon.” This phrase occurs twice in this verse.} you—
before the day of the Lord’s angry judgment overtakes you!
3 Seek the Lord’s favor, ^{▼▼tn Heb “seek the Lord,” but “favor” seems to be implied from the final line of the verse.} all you humble people ^{▼▼tn Or “poor.” The precise referent of this Hebrew term is unclear. The word may refer to the economically poor or to the spiritually humble.} of the land who have obeyed his commands! ^{▼▼tn The present translation assumes the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) here refers to God’s covenantal requirements and is a synonym for the Law. The word can mean “justice” and could refer more specifically to the principles of justice contained in the Law. In this case the phrase could be translated, “who have promoted the justice God demands.”}
Strive to do what is right! ^{▼▼tn Heb “Seek what is right.”} Strive to be humble! ^{▼▼tn Heb “Seek humility.”}
Maybe you will be protected ^{▼▼tn Heb “hidden.” Cf. NEB “it may be that you will find shelter”; NRSV “perhaps you may be hidden.”} on the day of the Lord’s angry judgment.