Zephaniah 3

King James Version

Full text for Zephaniah Chapter 3

1¶ Woe 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.

8¶ Therefore 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.

14¶ Sing, 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zephaniah 3 begins with a strong denunciation of Jerusalem for its corruption, disobedience, and the wickedness of its leaders and prophets. Despite God's judgments on other nations, Jerusalem failed to repent. However, the chapter then shifts to a future promise of divine judgment upon all nations, followed by the purification and restoration of a humble remnant of Israel. This remnant will serve the Lord with a pure language, experiencing joy, peace, and the Lord's saving presence among them.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with a 'Woe' to Jerusalem, described as filthy, polluted, and oppressing, having neither obeyed God's voice nor received correction. Its princes are likened to roaring lions, its judges to ravenous wolves, and its prophets are treacherous, while priests pollute the sanctuary. Despite the just Lord being in their midst, bringing judgment daily, the unjust city knows no shame. God recounts how He destroyed other nations, hoping Jerusalem would learn, but it only intensified its corruption. Therefore, the Lord declares His determination to gather all nations for a universal outpouring of His fierce anger. Yet, after this judgment, He promises to turn to the people a pure language, enabling them to serve Him with one consent. A humble and trusting remnant of Israel will be left, free from pride and deceit, dwelling in security. The chapter concludes with an exhortation to Zion to rejoice, for the Lord, their King, will remove their judgments, cast out their enemies, and save them, making them a praise among all people.

Long Summary

Zephaniah 3 commences with a severe condemnation of Jerusalem, labeling it as filthy, polluted, and an oppressing city that refused to obey the Lord's voice or receive correction. Its internal corruption is detailed: princes are roaring lions, judges are ravenous evening wolves, prophets are light and treacherous, and priests have polluted the sanctuary and done violence to the law. Despite the just Lord's constant presence and daily revelation of judgment, the city remains unashamed in its iniquity. The Lord recounts how He had cut off other nations, making their cities desolate, intending for Jerusalem to fear Him and receive instruction from these examples, but the city only intensified its corrupt doings. Consequently, the Lord declares His future intention to rise up to the prey, gathering all nations and kingdoms to pour out His fierce anger upon them, consuming the whole earth with the fire of His jealousy. Following this universal judgment, a profound transformation is promised: the Lord will turn to the people a pure language, enabling all to call upon His name and serve Him with one consent. From distant lands, His dispersed suppliants will bring offerings. In that day, Israel will no longer be ashamed of its transgressions, for the proud and haughty will be removed from its midst. Instead, an afflicted and poor people will be left, who will trust in the Lord's name, doing no iniquity, speaking no lies, and dwelling in peace and security. The chapter culminates in a joyful exhortation to Zion and Jerusalem to sing and rejoice, for the Lord has taken away their judgments and cast out their enemies. The Lord, the King of Israel, is declared to be in their midst, promising an end to evil and fear. He is mighty to save, will rejoice over them with joy and singing, and will rest in His love. The sorrowful for the solemn assembly will be gathered, and those who were afflicted and driven out will be saved, gaining praise and fame in every land where they were shamed. Finally, the Lord promises to bring back their captivity, making them a name and a praise among all people of the earth.

Core Concepts

  • Woe to the Corrupt CityThe chapter opens with a strong denunciation of Jerusalem, condemning it as a 'filthy and polluted' city that oppresses, disobeys God, and refuses correction.
  • Corruption of LeadershipJerusalem's leaders are severely indicted: princes are roaring lions, judges are ravenous wolves, prophets are treacherous, and priests pollute the sanctuary and violate the law.
  • Divine Justice and Unheeded WarningsThe just Lord is in their midst, bringing judgment daily, but the city remains unashamed. God's destruction of other nations served as a warning that Jerusalem failed to heed, only increasing its corruption.
  • Universal Judgment of NationsThe Lord declares His future determination to gather all nations and kingdoms to pour out His fierce anger, consuming the earth with the fire of His jealousy.
  • Purification and Restoration of a RemnantAfter judgment, the Lord promises to leave a humble, afflicted, and trusting remnant of Israel, who will be free from pride, deceit, and iniquity, dwelling in peace.
  • Pure Language and Unified WorshipA future state is prophesied where the Lord will turn to the people a pure language, enabling them to call upon His name and serve Him with one consent.
  • Joyful Deliverance and God's PresenceThe chapter concludes with an exhortation to Zion to rejoice, as the Lord, their King, will remove judgments, cast out enemies, and save them, making them a praise among all people.