Zephaniah 3:1-20 NCV

[1] How terrible for the wicked, stubborn city of Jerusalem, which hurts its own people. [2] It obeys no voice; it can't be taught to do right. It doesn't trust the LORD; it doesn't worship its God. [3] Its officers are like roaring lions. Its rulers are like hungry wolves that attack in the evening, and in the morning nothing is left of those they attacked. [4] Its prophets are proud; they are people who cannot be trusted. Its priests don't respect holy things; they break God's teachings. [5] But the LORD is good, and he is there in that city. He does no wrong. Every morning he governs the people fairly; every day he can be trusted. But evil people are not ashamed of what they do. [6] "I have destroyed nations; their towers were ruined. I made their streets empty so no one goes there anymore. Their cities are ruined; no one lives there at all. [7] I said, 'Surely now Jerusalem will respect me and will accept my teaching.' Then the place where they lived would not be destroyed, and I would not have to punish them. But they were still eager to do evil in everything they did. [8] Just wait," says the LORD. "Someday I will stand up as a witness. I have decided that I will gather nations and assemble kingdoms. I will pour out my anger on them, all my strong anger. My anger will be like fire that will burn up the whole world. [9] "Then I will give the people of all nations pure speech so that all of them will speak the name of the LORD and worship me together. [10] People will come from where the Nile River begins; my scattered people will come with gifts for me. [11] Then Jerusalem will not be ashamed of the wrongs done against me, because I will remove from this city those who like to brag; there will never be any more proud people on my holy mountain in Jerusalem. [12] But I will leave in the city the humble and those who are not proud, and they will trust in the LORD. [13] Those who are left alive in Israel won't do wrong or tell lies; they won't trick people with their words. They will eat and lie down with no one to make them afraid." [14] Sing, Jerusalem. Israel, shout for joy! Jerusalem, be happy and rejoice with all your heart. [15] The LORD has stopped punishing you; he has sent your enemies away. The King of Israel, the LORD, is with you; you will never again be afraid of being harmed. [16] On that day Jerusalem will be told, "Don't be afraid, city of Jerusalem. Don't give up. [17] The LORD your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you." [18] "I will take away the sadness planned for you, which would have made you very ashamed. [19] At that time I will punish all those who harmed you. I will save my people who cannot walk and gather my people who have been thrown out. I will give them praise and honor in every place where they were shamed. [20] At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you back home. I will give you honor and praise from people everywhere when I make things go well again for you, as you will see with your own eyes," says the LORD.