Zephaniah 3)
1 Alas! for her (i.e. Jerusalem) that is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not discipline; she confided not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the next day.
4 Her prophets are reckless and men of treacheries persons: her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. (Cp. Jer. 2:8. Ezek. 22:26.)
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof (ref. Num. 5:3. Deut. 7:21. Cp. v.15); He will not do iniquity: morning by morning (cp. Ps. 101:8) does He bring His judgment to light, He fails not; but the perverse knows no shame.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passes by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, "Surely you will revere Me, you will receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. (Ref. Gen. 6:12.)
8 Therefore (the Massorah calls attention to the fact that this verse contains all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, including the 5 final letters. This implies that the verse takes in the whole purpose of Yahaveh concerning Israel) wait you upon (or for) Me, says the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather in the nations, that I may gather out the kingdoms, to pour upon them My indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy (ref. Deut. 4:24.).
A2 M P 9,10. Good bestowed. Gentiles and Israel. Conversion.
Q 11-13. Evil removed.
N R 14. Zion and Jerusalem to praise. [Positive.]
S 15-. Yahaveh in the midst.
O -15. Evil no more seen.
N R 16. Zion and Jerusalem. Not to Fear. [Negative.]
S 17. Yahaveh in the midst.
M P 18-20-. Good bestowed. Gentiles and Israel. Restoration.
Q -20. Evil removed.
9 For then (i.e. after all that is implied in v.8) will I turn to the peoples a lip purified (i.e. a clean lip in contrast with "unclean lips" [Isa. 6:5]. The reference is, to being made fit for the worship of Yehovah, as the next clause shows), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent. (Put for the service rendered by it.)
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, even the daughter of My dispersed (i.e. My dispersed People [Israel]), shall bring My offering.
11 In that day shall you not be ashamed for all your doings, wherein you have transgressed against Me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in your pride, and you shall no more be haughty in My holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of you an afflicted and humble people, and they shall flee for refuge to the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." (Ref. Lev. 26:5,6.)
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of you: (Ref. Deut. 7:21.)
you shall not see calamity any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, "Fear you not:" and to Zion, "Let not your hands hang down."
17 The LORD your God in the midst of you, mighty to save [at all times] (the Heb. accents place the chief pause or emphasis on "save", implying not that He will save at some future time, but that He is an ever-present Savior. Ref. Deut. 10:17), He will rejoice over you with joy (ref. Deut. 30:9); He will rest in His love, He will joy over you with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful [the cessation of] the appointed season, who are of you, to whom the reproach of it was a burden on you.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all that afflict you: and I will save her that halts, and gather out (bring together what has been dispersed) her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame (ref. Deut. 16:19) in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, (Ref. Deut. 26:19.)
when I turn back your captivity (Heb. pl. Idiom for restoring blessings as aforetime. See Deut. 30:3) before your eyes, has said the LORD.