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Version

Summary

Zephaniah 3:1–7 – Corruption in Jerusalem

What happens: Jerusalem refuses correction. Officials are lions, judges are wolves, prophets are reckless, priests profane what is holy. Yet the LORD is righteous in her midst and brings justice every morning.

What it means: God’s presence does not excuse sin; it calls for holiness. Leadership without righteousness destroys people. God’s steady justice contrasts human failure.


Zephaniah 3:8–10 – Wait for the LORD; nations purified

What happens: God calls all to wait for Him as He gathers nations for judgment. He will change the peoples’ speech to pure lips so they may call on His name and serve Him together, even from beyond the rivers of Cush.

What it means: Judgment is a doorway to renewal. God aims at united worship from the nations. His plan moves toward worldwide praise.


Zephaniah 3:11–13 – A humble remnant

What happens: The proud are removed. A humble and lowly people remain, trusting in the LORD. They do no wrong and speak no lies, and they rest secure.

What it means: God saves by purifying a people who trust Him. Humility, honesty, and quiet security mark true worshipers. This is covenant restoration.


Zephaniah 3:14–20 – Sing, the LORD is in your midst

What happens: Daughter Zion is called to rejoice. The LORD removes judgments, defeats enemies, and dwells with His people. He rejoices over them with singing, gathers the lame and outcast, and gives them praise and a name.

What it means: God is a mighty Savior who delights in His people. His love is active, restorative, and joyful. He turns shame into honor and fulfills His promises.


Application

  • Practice humble, honest faith even when leaders fail.
  • Wait on God’s timing, expecting both justice and renewal.
  • Rejoice in God’s saving presence and welcome the outcast as He does.

Bible

1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

3Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

6I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

11In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

20At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

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