Zephaniah 3:1-8

1Oy to the oppressive city— filthy and defiled!

2She did not obey; she took no correction. She did not trust in Adonai. She did not draw near to her God.

3Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are wolves of the night, leaving nothing but bones for morning.

4Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men. Her kohanim have profaned what is holy. They do violence to Torah.

5Adonai is righteous in her midst. He will do no injustice. Morning by morning He brings His justice to light. He does not fail. Yet the unjust knows no shame.

6I have cut off nations. Their towers have become desolate. I have destroyed their streets. with no one passing by. Their cities are laid waste, with no one—none living there.

7I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, you will accept correction, so her dwelling place would not be cut off— all that I appointed against her.’ But they arose early and made all their deeds corrupt.

8Therefore, wait for me, declares Adonai, for the day when I rise up for plunder: for My decision is to assemble nations, to gather kingdoms, to pour out My fury upon them— all My burning anger. For in the fire of My wrath all the earth will be consumed.