Zephaniah 3:1-8

1Woe to her who is 1rebellious and 2defiled, The 3oppressive city!2She 4obeyed no voice, She 5accepted no discipline. She did not 6trust in the Lord, She did not 7approach her God.3Her 8leaders within her are roaring lions, Her judges are 9wolves at evening; They have no bones to gnaw in the morning.4Her prophets are 10insolent, treacherous men; Her 11priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the Law.5The Lord is 12righteous 13within her; He will 14do no injustice. 15Every morning He brings His justice to light; He 16does not fail. But the 17criminal 18knows no shame.6“I have eliminated nations; Their corner towers are deserted. I have 19laid waste their streets, With no one passing by; Their 20cities have been laid waste, Without a person, 21without an inhabitant.7I said, ‘You will certainly revere Me, You will 22accept discipline.’ So her dwelling will 23not be eliminated In accordance with everything that I have stipulated for her. Instead, they were eager to 24corrupt all their deeds.

8“Therefore 25wait for Me,” declares the Lord, “For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to 26gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For 27all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.