Zephaniah 3:9-20

9‘Then I will give to people lips that I have made pure. With those lips, they will call me Lord. And then, all the people will agree to work together for me.’

10‘Some people live a long way beyond the rivers of Cush. Yes, my people who pray went away to many other countries. They will return and they will carry their gifts to me.

11At that time, you will not have to be ashamed of the wrong things that you have done against me. But I will take away those who do not see anything wrong in themselves. Those people will not call each other “the people who live on God's holy mountain”.

12But I will let the poor people remain there. These are the people who have had bad times. These are the people who will trust me. And they will call me Lord.

13I will let those people stay there. They will not do any bad things. They will only say things that are true. They will say honest things. They will eat well and they will sleep well. Nobody will make them afraid.’

14Sing, you people in Zion. You are my own people, like my own daughter. Shout, you people in Israel! Be very, very happy, my people in Jerusalem!

15The Lord has not punished you as he would have done. He has sent your enemy away. I, the King of Israel, am with you! The bad times have gone. They will not happen again!

16On that special day, this will be my message for Jerusalem. ‘Do not be afraid now! Do not be weak now!

17The Lord, your God, is with you. He is strong. He will save you. He will be very happy about you! He will quietly love you. He will sing, because he is so happy about you!

18I will bring together those people among you who want to meet together again. You want to meet again to pray. And you want to meet again to praise God. You have had enough cruel words from your enemies.

19Look! At that time, I will punish all those people who hurt you. I will save those who cannot walk well. I will bring back the people that the enemy has sent away. I will cause people in every country to know about you. I will cause them to praise you.

20At that time, I will bring you back to your home. I will bring you back together. I will give you a good name among all the people on the earth. That is what I will do. I will stop your troubles. And you will see it happen.’ That is what the Lord says.