OET interlinear ZEP 2:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / reduplication

הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ וָ⁠ק֑וֹשּׁוּ

gather_~_together and,gather_together

Zephaniah is repeating the verb Gather in order to emphasize the idea that it expresses. If a speaker of your language would not do that, you may be able to express the emphasis in another way in your translation. Alternate translation: “It is urgent that you gather together”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ וָ⁠ק֑וֹשּׁוּ

gather_~_together and,gather_together

The word yourselves is plural because Zephaniah is addressing the Judeans as a group. The implied “you” in each of these imperative forms is also plural. So use plural forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction. (The word “you” and the implied “you” in imperatives continue to be plural in verses 2 and 3.)

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁ֖וּ

gather_~_together

Zephaniah is implicitly telling the Judeans to Gather … together in order to repent. That is, he is telling them that they urgently need to hold a solemn assembly in which they confess and forsake their sins and ask Yahweh to be merciful to them. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Gather yourselves together in repentance”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / litotes

הַ⁠גּ֖וֹי לֹ֥א נִכְסָֽף

the,nation not shame

Zephaniah is expressing a positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The phrase translated not desired could mean: (1) that Yahweh does not want to be close to this nation because he is so angry with its people over their sinfulness and idolatry. Alternate translation: “O nation with whom Yahweh is so angry” (2) that the people of this nation are not ashamed of the wrong things that they have been doing. Alternate translation: “O shameless nation”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הַ⁠גּ֖וֹי לֹ֥א נִכְסָֽף

the,nation not shame

Zephaniah is implicitly addressing the nation of Judah. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you Judeans with whom Yahweh is so angry” or “you shameless Judeans”