Parallel Bible results for "zephaniah 3"

Zephaniah 3

New Century Version NCV

1 How terrible for the wicked, stubborn city of Jerusalem, which hurts its own people.

2 It obeys no voice; it can't be taught to do right. It doesn't trust the Lord; it doesn't worship its God.

3 Its officers are like roaring lions. Its rulers are like hungry wolves that attack in the evening, and in the morning nothing is left of those they attacked.

4 Its prophets are proud; they are people who cannot be trusted. Its priests don't respect holy things; they break God's teachings.

5 But the Lord is good, and he is there in that city. He does no wrong. Every morning he governs the people fairly; every day he can be trusted. But evil people are not ashamed of what they do.

6 "I have destroyed nations; their towers were ruined. I made their streets empty so no one goes there anymore. Their cities are ruined; no one lives there at all.

7 I said, 'Surely now Jerusalem will respect me and will accept my teaching.' Then the place where they lived would not be destroyed, and I would not have to punish them. But they were still eager to do evil in everything they did.

8 Just wait," says the Lord. "Some day I will stand up as a witness. I have decided that I will gather nations and assemble kingdoms. I will pour out my anger on them, all my strong anger. My anger will be like fire that will burn up the whole world.

9 "Then I will give the people of all nations pure speech so that all of them will speak the name of the Lord and worship me together.

10 People will come from where the Nile River begins; my scattered people will come with gifts for me.

11 Then Jerusalem will not be ashamed of the wrongs done against me, because I will remove from this city those who like to brag; there will never be any more proud people on my holy mountain in Jerusalem.

12 But I will leave in the city the humble and those who are not proud, and they will trust in the Lord.

13 Those who are left alive in Israel won't do wrong or tell lies; they won't trick people with their words. They will eat and lie down with no one to make them afraid."

14 Sing, Jerusalem. Israel, shout for joy! Jerusalem, be happy and rejoice with all your heart.

15 The Lord has stopped punishing you; he has sent your enemies away. The King of Israel, the Lord, is with you; you will never again be afraid of being harmed.

16 On that day Jerusalem will be told, "Don't be afraid, city of Jerusalem. Don't give up.

17 The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you."

18 "I will take away the sadness planned for you, which would have made you very ashamed.

19 At that time I will punish all those who harmed you. I will save my people who cannot walk and gather my people who have been thrown out. I will give them praise and honor in every place where they were shamed.

20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you back home. I will give you honor and praise from people everywhere when I make things go well again for you, as you will see with your own eyes," says the Lord.

New Living Translation NLT

1 What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime!

2 No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.

3 Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.

4 Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.

5 But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail. But the wicked know no shame.

6 “I have wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their streets are now deserted; their cities lie in silent ruin. There are no survivors— none at all.

7 I thought, ‘Surely they will have reverence for me now! Surely they will listen to my warnings. Then I won’t need to strike again, destroying their homes.’ But no, they get up early to continue their evil deeds.

8 Therefore, be patient,” says the LORD . “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.

9 “Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the LORD together.

10 My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings.

11 On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain.

12 Those who are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD .

13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

15 For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.

16 On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!

17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

18 “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.

19 And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.

20 On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!”