Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
the Fifth Week after Easter
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Updated Bible Version

Zephaniah 2

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation that has no shame;2 before the decree brings forth, [before] the day passes as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Yahweh comes on you, before the day of Yahweh's anger comes on you.3 Seek Yahweh, all you meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you will be hid in the day of Yahweh's anger.

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.5 Woe to the inhabitants of the sea-coast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Yahweh is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines; I will destroy you, that there shall be no inhabitant.6 And the sea-coast shall be pastures, cisterns of shepherds and folds for flocks.7 And the portion shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed [their flocks] thereupon; in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down in the evening; for Yahweh their God will visit them, and bring back their destiny.

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the sons of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.9 Therefore as I live, says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall make a prey of them, and the remnant of my nation shall inherit them.10 This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Yahweh of hosts.11 Yahweh will be awesome to them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the nations.

12 You Ethiopians also, they are slain by my sword.13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like the wilderness.14 And herds shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the pelican and the porcupine shall lodge in the capitals thereof; [their] voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he has laid bare the cedar-work.15 This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me: how has she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passes by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.

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