1 Woe to the rebellious, the defiled, the city that oppresses.
2 She did not pay attention to the call nor accept the correction; she did not trust Yahweh nor did she approach her God.
3 Her kings are like roaring lions, her rulers like evening wolves that do not leave even a bone for the next day.
4 Her prophets are blabbermouths and treacherous people; her priests defile whatever is sacred with no respect for the Law.
5 However, Yahweh the Just one is in her midst; he never commits injustice. Every morning he says what must be done; but the unjust do not even feel ashamed.
6 I have wiped out the nations, demolished their watchtowers, left their streets abandoned, and no one walks in them; their cities have been leveled, and no one lives there.
7 I thought: "If you took into account my correction" I said: "she will not forget my threats." But you were eager to behave still more corruptly.
8 Therefore, wait for me, says Yahweh, for the day when I come to accuse, when I have the nations gathered and the kingdoms assembled to vent my wrath on you with all the fury of my anger. Then the fire of my jealous wrath will burn the whole land.
9 At that time I will give truthful lips to the pagan nations that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve him with the same zeal.
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia they will bring offerings to me.
11 On that day you will no longer be ashamed of all your deeds when you were unfaithful to me; I will have removed from your midst the conceited and arrogant and my holy mountain will no longer be for you a pretext for boasting.
12 I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God.
13 The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely, nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest with none to threaten them.
14 Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
15 Yahweh has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble,
17 for Yahweh your God is within you, Yahweh, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast.
18 I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed.
19 On that day I will face your oppressors; I will save the lame sheep and bring the lost back into the fold. I will give them renown and honor in all the lands where humiliation was your lot.
20 On that day I will be good to you and gather you to make you famous and honorable among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back the captives before your eyes, - this is Yahweh's word.
Versículos relacionados com Zephaniah, 3:
Chapter 3 of Sophonies begins with a description of the sins of Jerusalem and the consequences that will come because of them. However, from verse 9, there is a change of tone and the prophet begins to speak of the restoration that God will bring to his people. He promises that the remnants of Israel will be purified and renewed, and that they will praise God with joy. Below are five verses from other books in the Bible that relate to the topics covered in Sophonies 3:
Isaiah 1:18: "Come, let's reflect together," says the Lord. "Although their sins are red as scarlet, they will become white like snow; although they are rubber like purple, as wool will become." This verse speaks of the purification that God offers to sinners who repent, just as Sophonies talks about the purification of the remnant of Israel.
Psalm 51:10: "Creates in me a pure heart, O God, and renews within me a stable spirit." This verse also talks about purification and renewal, asking God to transform the heart and spirit of the psalmist.
Isaiah 12:1: "In that day you will say, 'I praise you, Lord! For you were angry against me, but your wrath has deviated, and you have consoled me.'" This verse speaks of the joy that the people of God will feel When he receives his mercy and comfort, just as Sophonies promises that the remnant of Israel will praise God with joy.
Isaiah 43:19: "See, I'm doing something new! She is already emerging! You don't recognize it? Even in the desert will make a way and streams in the wilderness." This verse speaks of the renewal and the new things that God will do, just as Sophonies promises that God will renew His people.
Isaiah 60:18: "It will never be heard of violence in your land, nor destruction or ruin within your borders. You will call your walls and praise your doors." This verse speaks of the peace and security God will bring to his people, just as Sophonies promises that God will restore and protect the remnant of Israel.
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