Zephaniah 3:9-19

9 "Then I will change the people of the nations, and they will pray to me alone and not to other gods. They will all obey me.
10 Even from distant Ethiopia my scattered people will bring offerings to me.
11 At that time you, my people, will no longer need to be ashamed that you rebelled against me. I will remove everyone who is proud and arrogant, and you will never again rebel against me on my sacred hill.
12 I will leave there a humble and lowly people, who will come to me for help.
13 The people of Israel who survive will do no wrong to anyone, tell no lies, nor try to deceive. They will be prosperous and secure, afraid of no one." 1
14 Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has stopped your punishment; he has removed all your enemies. The Lord, the king of Israel, is with you; there is no reason now to be afraid.
16 The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp!
17 The Lord your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you,
18 as joyful as people at a festival." The Lord says, "I have ended the threat of doom and taken away your disgrace.
19 The time is coming! I will punish your oppressors; I will rescue all the lame and bring the exiles home. I will turn their shame to honor, and all the world will praise them.

Images for Zephaniah 3:9-19

Cross References 1

  • 1. 3.13Revelation 14.5.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. [Hebrew] Cush: [Cush is the ancient name of the extensive territory south of the First Cataract of the Nile River. This region was called Ethiopia in Graeco-Roman times, and included within its borders most of modern Sudan and some of present-day Ethiopia (Abyssinia).]
  • [b]. sacred hill: [Mount Zion (see Zion in Word List).]
  • [c]. [Some ancient translations] give you new life; [Hebrew] be silent.
  • [d]. [Verse 18 in Hebrew is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.