Zephaniah 3:1-7

1Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city!

2She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God.

3Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are evening wolves That leave not a bone till morning.

4Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, They have done violence to the law.

5The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.

6“I have cut off nations, Their fortresses are devastated; I have made their streets desolate, With none passing by. Their cities are destroyed; There is no one, no inhabitant.

7I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, You will receive instruction’— So that her dwelling would not be cut off, Despite everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.