Zephaniah 3
SIBZephaniah 3:1-4
Dreadful miseries await Jerusalem, which is quite filled with wickedness, violence, and oppression. Most of the inhabitants pay no regard to God’s laws, warnings or corrections: they trust not in him, but in their Heathen allies and idols: and, regardless of his covenant relation to them, they neither pray to nor worship him. Their princes and judges are rapacious and cruel oppressors. Their prophets are light, frothy, and treacherous to God and men. Their priests profane the sanctuary, and pervert the law, by their false glosses or bad examples
Zephaniah 3:5-7
Though I, who in infinite righteousness am an hater of all iniquity, am among them in mine ordinances to observe their conduct: and, though I have long and repeatedly warned them by my prophets, and by making examples of impenitent sinners, yet still they continue impudent and obstinate in their sin: and though, for their warning, I have executed my desolating judgments on other nations, that so I might not be obliged to destroy them, yet, instead of repenting, they have become more wicked
Zephaniah 3:8-13
Nevertheless, wait ye on me, till by desolating judgments I have destroyed the wicked from among you, and have even destroyed the wicked nations from the world: for after that I will, by my grace, effectually renew your heart and life, and make you unanimously to concur in worshipping me. Gathered from the most distant countries, ye shall humbly present to me your thanksgivings; and returned to your own land, no more shall ye undergo the reproach and punishment of your former sins. They that prided themselves in their peculiar relation to God, and their outward privileges and ordinances, shall be cut off; and, in their stead, I will raise up a generation of persons, meek and humble under their troubles, who shall trust in my promises, believe on my Son, and, being renewed in their hearts, shall detest falsehood and all other wickedness, and shall be encouraged to an upright and holy conversation by the protection which I will afford them
Zephaniah 3:14-19
Rejoice greatly, O Jews, take courage, and abound in piety, for I the Lord will remove your troubles, and Before Christ cir. 520