“1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! 2
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not
in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3 Her princes within her
[are] roaring lions; her judges [are] evening wolves; they gnaw not the
bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets [are] light [and] treacherous
persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done
violence to the law. 5 The just LORD [is] in the midst thereof; he will
not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he
faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. 6 I have cut off the
nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that
none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man,
that there is none inhabitant. 7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou
wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off,
howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, [and] corrupted all
their doings.”
“8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I
rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations,
that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation,
[even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the
fire of my jealousy. 9 For then will I turn to the people a pure
language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him
with one consent. 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants,
[even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. 11 In
that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast
transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of
thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain. 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee
an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the
LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall
feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.”
“14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice
with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The LORD hath taken away
thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, [even]
the LORD, [is] in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to]
Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of
thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he
will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 18 I will
gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, [who] are of
thee, [to whom] the reproach of it [was] a burden. 19 Behold, at that
time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth,
and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame. 20 At that time will I
bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make
you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back
your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.” (Zephaniah 3:1-20 AV)
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