1 Disaster to the rebellious, the befouled, the tyrannical city!
2 She has not listened to the call, she has not bowed to correction, she has not trusted in Yahweh, she has not drawn near to her God.
3 The rulers she has are roaring lions, her judges are wolves of the wastelands which leave nothing over for the morning,
4 her prophets are braggarts, impostors, her priests have profaned what is holy and violated the Law.
5 Yahweh the Upright is in her, he does no wrong; morning by morning he gives judgement, each dawn unfailingly (but the wrong-doer knows no shame).
6 I have exterminated the nations, their corner-towers lie in ruins; I have emptied their streets, no one walks through them; their cities have been destroyed and are now deserted and unpeopled.
7 I thought, 'At least you will fear me, at least you will bow to correction,' and none of the punishments I brought on them will disappear from their view. But no, it only made them more anxious to do whatever was corrupt.
8 So wait for me -- declares Yahweh -- for the day when I rise as accuser, for I am determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and on you to vent my fury, the whole heat of my anger (for the whole earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy).
9 Yes, then I shall purge the lips of the peoples, so that all may invoke the name of Yahweh and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants will bring me tribute.
11 When that Day comes you will never again be ashamed of all the deeds with which you once rebelled against me, for I shall rid you of those who exult in your pride; never again will you strut on my holy mountain.
12 But in you I shall leave surviving a humble and lowly people,
13 and those who are left in Israel will take refuge in the name of Yahweh. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to alarm them.
14 Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
15 Yahweh has repealed your sentence; he has turned your enemy away. Yahweh is king among you, Israel, you have nothing more to fear.
16 When that Day comes, the message for Jerusalem will be: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp.
17 Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Saviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you,
18 as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it.
19 I am taking action here and now against your oppressors. When that time comes I will rescue the lame, and gather the strays, and I will win them praise and renown when I restore their fortunes.
20 At that time I shall be your guide, at the time when I gather you in, I shall give you praise and renown among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes, declares Yahweh.
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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