Sofonías 2:2-12

2 Antes que pára el decreto, y el día se pase como el tamo; antes que venga sobre vosotros el furor de la ira de Jehová, antes que el día de la ira de Jehová venga sobre vosotros.

3 Buscad á Jehová todos los humildes de la tierra, que pusisteis en obra su juicio; buscad justicia, buscad mansedumbre: quizás seréis guardados en el día del enojo de Jehová.

4 Porque Gaza será desamparada, y Ascalón asolada: saquearán á Asdod en el medio día, y Ecrón será desarraigada.

5 ¡Ay de los que moran á la parte de la mar, de la gente de Cheretim! La palabra de Jehová es contra vosotros, oh Canaán, tierra de Palestinos, que te haré destruir hasta no quedar morador.

6 Y será la parte de la mar por moradas de cabañas de pastores, y corrales de ovejas.

7 Y será aquella parte para el resto de la casa de Judá; allí apacentarán: en las casas de Ascalón dormirán á la noche; porque Jehová su Dios los visitará, y tornará sus cautivos.

8 Yo he oído las afrentas de Moab, y los denuestos de los hijos de Ammón con que deshonraron á mi pueblo, y se engrandecieron sobre su término.

9 Por tanto, vivo yo, dice Jehová de los ejércitos, Dios de Israel, que Moab será como Sodoma, y los hijos de Ammon como Gomorra; campo de ortigas, y mina de sal, y asolamiento perpetuo: el resto de mi pueblo los saqueará, y el resto de mi gente los heredará.

10 Esto les vendrá por su soberbia, porque afrentaron, y se engrandecieron contra el pueblo de Jehová de los ejércitos.

11 Terrible será Jehová contra ellos, porque enervará á todos los dioses de la tierra; y cada uno desde su lugar se inclinará á él, todas las islas de las gentes.

12 Vosotros también los de Etiopía seréis muertos con mi espada.

Sofonías 2:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZEPHANIAH 2

In this chapter the prophet exhorts the Jews to repentance; and foretells the destruction of several neighbouring nations. The body of the people of the Jews in general are first called upon to gather together and humble themselves, who were a people neither desirable, nor deserving of the favours of God, nor desirous of them, Zep 2:1 and to this they are pressed, from the consideration of God's decree of vengeance being ready to bring forth and break forth upon them, Zep 2:2 and then the few godly among them are exhorted to seek the Lord, and what is agreeable to him; since there was at least a probability of their being protected by him in a time of general calamity, Zep 2:3 and that the destruction of this people might appear the more certain, and that they might have no dependence on their neighbours, the prophet proceeds to predict the ruin of several of them, particularly the Philistines; several places belonging to them are by name mentioned, and the whole land threatened with desolation; the maritime part of it to be only inhabited by shepherds and their flocks; and afterwards the coast possessed by the Jews, on their return from their captivity, Zep 2:4-7. Next the Moabites and Ammonites are prophesied of; whose destruction should come upon them for their pride, and for their contempt and reviling of the people of God; and which should be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah; and would issue in the abolition of idolatry, and the setting up of the worship of God in their country, and elsewhere, Zep 2:8-11. As for the Ethiopians, they should be slain with the sword, Zep 2:12 and the whole monarchy of Assyria, with Nineveh the metropolis of it, should be utterly laid waste, and become a desolation, and a wilderness; and the habitation, not only of flocks, but of beasts and birds of prey, Zep 2:13-15.