Zephaniah
Summary
The PURE LANGUAGE and the God who JOYS with singing. it begins with a 'woe' against Jerusalem's pollution and its leaders' greed, yet moves quickly into the promise of a global restoration. it features the turning of a 'pure language' to all people that they may serve the LORD with one consent. it reaches its ecstatic climax with the command for Zion to sing, for the King of Israel is in her midst. it conclude with the most tender promise that the LORD will 'rejoice over you with joy' and 'joy over you with singing', turning their shame into praise.
Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning does He bring His judgement to light, He fails not; but the unjust knows no shame.
"I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passes by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant."
I said, "Surely you will fear Me, you will receive instruction;" so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
"Therefore wait you upon Me," says 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."
"For then will I turn to the people a [1] pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent."
"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My suppliants, even the daughter of My dispersed, shall bring Mine offering."
"In that day shall you not be ashamed for all your doings, wherein you hast transgressed against Me: for then I will take away out of the midst of you them that rejoice in your pride, and you shall no more be haughty because of My holy mountain."
"I will also leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD."
"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."
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
The LORD has taken away your judgements, He has cast out your enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more.
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, "Fear you not:" and to Zion, "Let not your hands be slack."
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; [2] in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of you, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict you: and I will save her that halts, 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.
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, says the LORD.