Zephaniah 3 — FBV
3Verse 1What disaster is coming to corrupted, rebellious Jerusalem, you who oppress people!+Verse 2You+don't listen to anybody, you don't accept correction, you don't trust in the Lord, you don't ask for God's help.+Verse 3Your leaders are as greedy as roaring lions; your judges are ravenous wolves that leave nothing behind by morning.Verse 4Your prophets are arrogant, deceitful men who defile what is sacred and who openly break the law.+Verse 5But the Lord who does right is still among you, he does no wrong. Every morning he gives his judgment, every day without fail. But those who act unjustly have no shame.Verse 6I have destroyed nations. Their fortresses are deserted; their streets are empty; their cities are destroyed—there are no survivors, not one.Verse 7I told myself, “Surely they+will respect me now and accept my correction. Then their homes would not be destroyed to teach them a lesson.” But instead you're just as eager to go on doing evil.Verse 8You just wait, declares the Lord. The day is coming when I will rise to give evidence. For I have decided to gather together all the nations and kingdoms and to pour out on them my anger, my fury and my rage. The whole earth will be burned up by the fire of my jealous+anger.Verse 9For then I will give the nations pure speech so they can all pray and worship the Lord together.Verse 10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my scattered people, my worshipers, will come to bring their offerings to me.Verse 11On that day you won't be ashamed because of what you did in rebelling against me, for I will remove from among you those who are proud and boastful. Never again will you be conceited on my holy mountain.Verse 12I will leave among you those who are meek and humble, those who trust in the name of the Lord.Verse 13The people of Israel who remain will not act wickedly nor will they tell lies. They will not deceive one another. They will be able to eat in peace and sleep in safety for there will be nothing to frighten them.Verse 14Sing out, Jerusalem! Shout aloud, Israel! Jerusalem, be happy and celebrate with all your heart!Verse 15For the Lord has turned aside from punishing you, and he has turned back your enemies. The Lord, the king of Israel, is with you, and you will never again have to fear disaster.Verse 16On that day the message to the people of Jerusalem will be, “Don't be afraid; don't be discouraged!”+Verse 17The Lord your God is among you as a mighty warrior who saves. He will be so happy with you. He will renew+his love for you. He will celebrate over you with loud singing.Verse 18I will gather those of you who mourn for the religious festivals—you will no longer have to bear the disgrace.+Verse 19Look at what I am going to do! At that time I am going to deal with all those who have oppressed you. I will save those who are helpless and bring back those who were scattered, and I will turn their shame into praise, and all the world will respect them.Verse 20At that time I will bring you home, gathering you together. I will give you a good reputation, and you will be praised by all the peoples of the earth when I restore your status before your very eyes, says the Lord.