Zephaniah 3:1-20 NET

[1] Beware to the filthy, stained city; the city filled with oppressors! [2] She is disobedient; she has refused correction. She does not trust the LORD; she has not sought the advice of her God. [3] Her princes are as fierce as roaring lions; her rulers are as hungry as wolves in the desert, who completely devour their prey by morning. [4] Her prophets are proud; they are deceitful men. Her priests have defiled what is holy; they have broken God's laws. [5] The just LORD resides within her; he commits no unjust acts. Every morning he reveals his justice. At dawn he appears without fail. Yet the unjust know no shame. [6] "I destroyed nations; their walled cities are in ruins. I turned their streets into ruins; no one passes through them. Their cities are desolate; no one lives there. [7] I thought, 'Certainly you will respect me! Now you will accept correction!' If she had done so, her home would not be destroyed by all the punishments I have threatened. But they eagerly sinned in everything they did. [8] Therefore you must wait patiently for me," says the LORD, "for the day when I attack and take plunder. I have decided to gather nations together and assemble kingdoms, so I can pour out my fury on them-all my raging anger. For the whole earth will be consumed by my fiery anger. [9] Know for sure that I will then enable the nations to give me acceptable praise. All of them will invoke the LORD's name when they pray, and will worship him in unison. [10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, those who pray to me, my dispersed people, will bring me tribute. [11] In that day you will not be ashamed of all your rebelliousness against me, for then I will remove from your midst those who proudly boast, and you will never again be arrogant on my holy hill. [12] I will leave in your midst a humble and meek group of people, and they will find safety in the LORD's presence. [13] The Israelites who remain will not act deceitfully. They will not lie, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. Indeed, they will graze peacefully like sheep and lie down; no one will terrify them." [14] Shout for joy, Daughter Zion! Shout out, Israel! Be happy and boast with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! [15] The LORD has removed the judgment against you; he has turned back your enemy. Israel's king, the LORD, is in your midst! You no longer need to fear disaster. [16] On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Don't be afraid, Zion! Your hands must not be paralyzed from panic! [17] The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you." [18] "As for those who grieve because they cannot attend the festivals-I took them away from you; they became tribute and were a source of shame to you. [19] Look, at that time I will deal with those who mistreated you. I will rescue the lame sheep and gather together the scattered sheep. I will take away their humiliation and make the whole earth admire and respect them. [20] At that time I will lead you-at the time I gather you together. Be sure of this! I will make all the nations of the earth respect and admire you when you see me restore you," says the LORD.