Zephaniah 2:4-10

4Gaza will be deserted, and Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be torn out by the roots.

5How horrible it will be for those who live on the seacoast, for the nation from Crete. The Lord’s word is against you, Canaan, the land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you so that no one will be living there.”

6The seacoast will become pastureland with meadows for shepherds and fenced-off places for sheep.

7The coast will belong to the faithful few from the nation of Judah. There they will graze their sheep. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The Lord their God will take care of them and will restore their fortunes.

8“I have heard the insults from Moab and the mockery from Ammon. They insulted my people and bragged about their territory.

9Therefore, I solemnly swear, as I live,” declares the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, “Moab will become like Sodom, and Ammon will become like Gomorrah: a place of weeds, salt pits, and ruins forever. The faithful few of my people will loot them, and those who are left in my nation will take possession of them.”

10This is what they will get for their sinful pride, because they insulted the people who belong to the Lord of Armies and made themselves greater than them.