Universal Recognition of the Lord and the Restoration of Jerusalem

Zephaniah 3:9–20

Biblical Period

9For then I will make the peoples pure of speech,
So that they all invoke the Lord by name
And serve Him with one accord.
10From beyond the rivers of Cush, My suppliants
Shall bring offerings to Me in Fair Puzai.
11In that day,
You will no longer be shamed for all the deeds
By which you have defied Me.
For then I will remove
The proud and exultant within you,
And you will be haughty no more
On My sacred mount.a
12But I will leave within you
A poor, humble folk,
And they shall find refuge
In the name of the Lord.
13The remnant of Israel
Shall do no wrong
And speak no falsehood;
A deceitful tongue
Shall not be in their mouths.
Only such as these shall graze and lie down,
With none to trouble them.
14Shout for joy, Fair Zion,
Cry aloud, O Israel!
Rejoice and be glad with all your heart,
Fair Jerusalem!
15The Lord has annulled the judgment against you,
He has swept away your foes.
Israel’s Sovereign the Lord is within you;
You need fear misfortune no more.
16In that day,
This shall be said to Jerusalem:
Have no fear, O Zion;
Let not your hands droop!
17Your God the Lord is in your midst,
A warrior who brings triumph.
He will rejoice over you and be glad,
He will shout over you with jubilation.
He will soothe with His love
18Those long disconsolate.
I will take away from you the woe
Over which you endured mockery.
19At that time I will make [an end]
Of all who afflicted you.
And I will rescue the lame [sheep]
And gather the strayed;
And I will exchange their disgrace
For fame and renown in all the earth.
20At that time I will gather you,
And at [that] time I will bring you [home];
For I will make you renowned and famous
Among all the peoples on earth,
When I restore your fortunes
Before their very eyes
—said the Lord.

Notes

I.e., in My holy land.

Credits

Reprinted from Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures by permission of the University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 1.

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Related Guide

The Prophets Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah

Many minor prophets connected Israel and Judah’s fortunes  to the Israelites’ relationship with God.

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