Zephaniah

Introduction to Zephaniah

Yahweh Will End All Things

The Day of Yahweh Is Near

[Zep 1:12 LSB]

"And it will be at that time
That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
And I will punish the men
Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts, 'Yahweh will not do good or evil!'

Seek Yahweh Before His Day of Anger

[Zep 2:1 LSB]

Gather yourselves together, indeed, gather, O nation without shame,

[Zep 2:2 LSB]

Before the decree takes effect--
The day passes like the chaff--
Before the burning anger of Yahweh comes upon you,
Before the day of Yahweh's anger comes upon you.

[Zep 2:3 LSB]

Seek Yahweh,
All you humble of the earth
Who have worked His justice;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of Yahweh's anger.

The Unjust Knows No Shame

Yahweh Will Pour Out His Anger 

(cf. Gen 11:1–9; Act 2:1–11 )

[Zep 3:11 LSB]

"In that day you will feel no shame
Because of all your deeds
By which you have transgressed against Me;
For then I will remove from your midst
Your proud, exulting ones,
And you will never again be haughty
On My holy mountain.

[Zep 3:12 LSB]

"But I will cause to remain in your midst
A lowly and poor people,
And they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

[Zep 3:13 LSB]

"The remnant of Israel will do no injustice
And not speak falsehood,
Nor will a deceitful tongue
Be found in their mouths;
For they will feed and lie down
With no one to make them tremble."

Yahweh’s Joy in Restoring Israel

[Zep 3:19 LSB]

"Behold, I am going to deal at that time 

With all those who afflict you, 

And I will save the lame 

And gather the banished, 

And I will turn them -- in their shame -- into praise and a name 

In all the earth.