Zephaniah 3:1-14 Modern English Version (MEV)

1. Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,the oppressing city.

2. She obeys no voice,she receives no correction;she does not trust in the Lord,she does not draw near to her God.

3. Her princes within her are roaring lions;her judges are evening wolveswho leave nothing until the morning.

4. Her prophets are reckless,treacherous men;her priests have profaned the sanctuaryand done violence to the law.

5. The Lord is righteous in her midst;He does no unrighteousness.Every morning He brings His justice to light;He does not fail,but the unjust knows no shame.

6. I have cut off nations,their strongholds are devastated;I have made their streets desolate,with no one passing by.Their cities are destroyed;there is no man, no inhabitant.

7. I said,“Surely you will fear Me;and you will receive correction.”So her dwelling will not be cut off,according to all that I have appointed against her.But they were more eagerto corrupt all their deeds.

8. Therefore wait for Me, declares the Lord,until the day when I rise up to seize the plunder;for My decision is to gather nations,to assemble kingdoms,to pour on them My indignation,all My fierce anger;for all the earth will be devouredwith the fire of My jealousy.

9. For then I will restore to the peoples a pure speechthat all of them may call on the name of the Lord,to serve Him with one accord.

10. From beyond the rivers of EthiopiaMy worshippers, the daughter of My dispersed ones,will bring My offering.

11. On that day you will not be ashamedfor all your deeds by which you have transgressed against Me;for then I will remove from your midstthose who rejoice in your pride,and you will no longer be haughtyin My holy mountain.

12. But I will leave in your midsta meek and humble people,and they will trust in the name of the Lord.

13. The remnant of Israel will do no unrighteousness,nor speak lies;nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;for they will feed and lie down,and no one will make them afraid.

14. Sing, O daughter of Zion!Shout, O Israel!Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,O daughter of Jerusalem!

Zephaniah 3