[1] I am Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, the grandson of Gedaliah, the great-grandson of Amariah, and the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah. When Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah, the LORD gave me this message. [2] I, the LORD, now promise to destroy everything on this earth- [3] people and animals, birds and fish. Everyone who is evil will crash to the ground, and I will wipe out the entire human race. [4] I will reach out to punish Judah and Jerusalem- nothing will remain of the god Baal; nothing will be remembered of his pagan priests. [5] Not a trace will be found of those who worship stars from their rooftops, or bow down to the god Milcom, while claiming loyalty to me, the LORD. [6] Nothing will remain of anyone who has turned away and rejected me. [7] Be silent! I am the LORD God, and the time is near. I am preparing to sacrifice my people and to invite my guests. [8] On that day I will punish national leaders and sons of the king, along with all who follow foreign customs. [9] I will punish worshipers of pagan gods and cruel palace officials who abuse their power. [10] I, the LORD, promise that on that day noisy crying will be heard from Fish Gate, New Town, and Upper Hills. [11] Everyone in Lower Hollow will mourn loudly, because merchants and money changers will be wiped out. [12] I'll search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those people who sit there unworried while thinking, "The LORD won't do anything, good or bad." [13] Their possessions will be taken, their homes left in ruins. They won't get to live in the houses they build, or drink wine from the grapes in their own vineyards. [14] The great day of the LORD is coming soon, very soon. On that terrible day, fearsome shouts of warriors will be heard everywhere. [15] It will be a time of anger- of trouble and torment, of disaster and destruction, of darkness and despair, of storm clouds and shadows, [16] of trumpet calls and battle cries against fortified cities and mighty fortresses. [17] The LORD warns everyone who has sinned against him, "I'll strike you blind! Then your blood and your insides will gush out like vomit. [18] Not even your silver or gold can save you on that day when I, the LORD, am angry. My anger will flare up like a furious fire scorching the earth and everyone on it."
