Zephaniah 2:1-5, 7-9 Zephaniah 1:2-18 Gather together, gather yourselves together,you shameful nation, “I will sweep away everythingfrom the face of the earth,”declares the Lord. before the decree takes effectand that day passes like windblown chaff,before the Lord’s fierce angercomes upon you,before the day of the Lord’s wrathcomes upon you. “I will sweep away both man and beast;I will sweep away the birds in the skyand the fish in the sea—and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.”“When I destroy all mankindon the face of the earth,”declares the Lord, Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,you who do what he commands.Seek righteousness, seek humility;perhaps you will be shelteredon the day of the Lord’s anger. “I will stretch out my hand against Judahand against all who live in Jerusalem.I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place,the very names of the idolatrous priests— Gaza will be abandonedand Ashkelon left in ruins.At midday Ashdod will be emptiedand Ekron uprooted. those who bow down on the roofsto worship the starry host,those who bow down and swear by the Lordand who also swear by Molek, Woe to you who live by the sea,you Kerethite people;the word of the Lord is against you,Canaan, land of the Philistines.He says, “I will destroy you,and none will be left.” those who turn back from following the Lordand neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.” Be silent before the Sovereign Lord,for the day of the Lord is near.The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;he has consecrated those he has invited. That land will belongto the remnant of the people of Judah;there they will find pasture.In the evening they will lie downin the houses of Ashkelon.The Lord their God will care for them;he will restore their fortunes. “On the day of the Lord’s sacrificeI will punish the officialsand the king’s sonsand all those cladin foreign clothes. “I have heard the insults of Moaband the taunts of the Ammonites,who insulted my peopleand made threats against their land. On that day I will punishall who avoid stepping on the threshold,who fill the temple of their godswith violence and deceit. Therefore, as surely as I live,”declares the Lord Almighty,the God of Israel,“surely Moab will become like Sodom,the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits,a wasteland forever.The remnant of my people will plunder them;the survivors of my nation will inherit their land.” “On that day,”declares the Lord,“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,wailing from the New Quarter,and a loud crash from the hills. Wail, you who live in the market district;all your merchants will be wiped out,all who trade with silver will be destroyed. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lampsand punish those who are complacent,who are like wine left on its dregs,who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing,either good or bad.’ Their wealth will be plundered,their houses demolished.Though they build houses,they will not live in them;though they plant vineyards,they will not drink the wine.” The great day of the Lord is near—near and coming quickly.The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter;the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish,a day of trouble and ruin,a day of darkness and gloom,a day of clouds and blackness— a day of trumpet and battle cryagainst the fortified citiesand against the corner towers. “I will bring such distress on all peoplethat they will grope about like those who are blind,because they have sinned against the Lord.Their blood will be poured out like dustand their entrails like dung. Neither their silver nor their goldwill be able to save themon the day of the Lord’s wrath.”In the fire of his jealousythe whole earth will be consumed,for he will make a sudden endof all who live on the earth.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 05:25:31 +0000
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