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Here is what I thought about Jerusalem.
‘Surely you will have respect for me.
    Surely you will accept my warning.’
    Then the city you think is safe would not be destroyed.
And I would not have to punish you so much.
    But they still wanted to go on sinning
    in every way they could.
So wait for me to come as judge,”
    announces the Lord.
“Wait for the day I will stand up
    to witness against all sinners.
I have decided to gather the nations.
    I will bring the kingdoms together.
And I will pour out all my burning anger on them.
    The fire of my jealous anger
    will burn the whole world up.

Israel Will Trust in the Lord

“But then I will purify what all the nations say.
    And they will use their words to worship me.
    They will serve me together.

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Of Jerusalem I thought,
    ‘Surely you will fear me
    and accept correction!’(A)
Then her place of refuge[a] would not be destroyed,
    nor all my punishments come upon[b] her.
But they were still eager
    to act corruptly(B) in all they did.
Therefore wait(C) for me,”
    declares the Lord,
    “for the day I will stand up to testify.[c]
I have decided to assemble(D) the nations,(E)
    to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath(F) on them—
    all my fierce anger.(G)
The whole world will be consumed(H)
    by the fire of my jealous anger.

Restoration of Israel’s Remnant

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call(I) on the name of the Lord(J)
    and serve(K) him shoulder to shoulder.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 3:7 Or her sanctuary
  2. Zephaniah 3:7 Or all those I appointed over
  3. Zephaniah 3:8 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew will rise up to plunder