1 The message from Yahweh which came to Tsefanyah (son of Kush, son of Gedalyah, son of Amaryah, son of Hizkiyah) in the ≈time of Amon’s son, King Yoshiyyah (Josiah) of Yehudah (Judah)[ref]

2 Yahweh declares:

I will exterminate everything that lives on the ground.

3 Yahweh declares:

I’ll bring humans and animals to an end, ≈along with the birds and fish. Wicked people ≈will be destroyed along with their idols and humankind will be cut-off from the earth.

Against Judah

4 I will ≈punish the people of Yehudah,

≈and those living in Yerushalem.

I will ≈wipe all remnants of Baal out from this place.

≈≈No one will even remember the names of those priests ≈who served idols.

5 ≡I’ll punish those who bowed down to the ≈stars and planets from their rooftops,

≈and those making promises to Yahweh but then promising to the false god Milcom.[fn]

6 ≡I’ll punish those who turn back after following me, Yahweh,

as well as those who haven’t searched for Yahweh or prayed to ≈me.

7 Be silent in the presence of the master Yahweh,

because his day is near.

Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice,

and he’s consecrated his guests.

8 On the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice, I will visit ≈their officials and the king’s sons, and all those wearing foreign clothing. 9 ≈At that time I will ≈punish all the officials who force their way into people’s homes—the ones filling their masters’ houses ≈using fraud and violence.

10 Yahweh declares:

On that day a cry of distress will come from the Fish Gate,

≈and wailing from the second district

and a loud crash from the hills.

11 Wail, you inhabitants of the Maktesh,

because all of the people of Canaan will be destroyed.

All ≈the money-counters will be eliminated.

12 I will search Yerushalem with lamps at that time,

and I will ≈punish those who’ve sunk to the bottom—

the ones ≈who tell themselves,

‘Yahweh ≈will never take action—either good or bad.’

13 Their wealth will ≈be taken as plunder

and their houses ≈will be ruined.

They’ll build houses, but they ≈won’t get to live in them.

≈They’ll plant vineyards, but ≈won’t get to drink their wine.

The Great Day of the Lord

14 Yahweh’s big day of judgement is near—

≈close and coming quickly.

The sound of Yahweh’s day is bitter—

≈even #warriors will cry out.

15 That day will be a day of anger,

a day of distress and anguish,

a day of destruction and desolation,

a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of cloud and thick darkness,

16 a day of trumpet blasts and with the battle cry

against the fortified cities and against the high towers on their corners.

17 I’ll bring distress to ≈the people,

and they’ll walk ≈slowly as if they were blind,

because they’ve sinned against Yahweh.

Their blood will be poured out like dust,

≈and their innards like dung.

18 Their silver, and even their gold, won’t be able to save them

on the day of Yahweh’s anger.

The whole earth will be consumed in the fire of his jealousy

because he’ll ≈soon destroy people from all over the world.

2 Gather yourselves together,

yes, assemble now you shameless nation

2 before the decree ≈is made,

before the day passes like chaff,

before Yahweh’s ≈anger reaches you all,

yes, before that day of Yahweh’s ≈anger hits you.

3 Search for Yahweh, all ≈you humble people who do his justice.

≈Aim to do what is right and to stay humble.

Perhaps you’ll be hidden away on the day ≈Yahweh’s anger.

4 Because Azzah (Gaza) will become abandoned,

and Ashkelon ≡will become a ruin.

The people of Ashdod will be driven out by noon,

and Ekron will be ≈overthrown.[ref]

5 The inhabitants of the coastal region ≈are to be pitied,

the nation of the Kerethites.

≈Yahweh’s ≈decision is against you all,

Canaan, land of the Philistines.

≈I’ll destroy you until no one remains.

6 The coastal region will become pastures of meadows for shepherds

and pens for flocks.

7 ≈The remaining survivors from Yehudah will inhabit that region.

They will shepherd their flocks ≈on that land.

They’ll lie down in their houses in Ashkelon in the evening,

because their God Yahweh will visit them, and he’ll restore their fortune.

Judgment against Moab and Ammon; Against Moab and Ammon

8 I’ve heard Moav’s mocking

≈and the ≈Ammonites’ insults.

They’ve insulted my people

and ≈built up their forces against their border.[ref]

9 Army commander Yahweh, Yisrael’s God, declares:

As certain as I’m alive,

Moab will become like Sodom,

≈and the ≈Ammonites like Gomorrah,

≈overrun by nettles and salt-pits—in ruins forever.

The remnant of my people will plunder them,

≈and the remainder of my nation will ≈take possession of them.[ref]

10 ≈That will be the fruit of their pride,

because they mocked and ≈talked themselves up

against the people of army commander Yahweh.

11 The people of Moab and Ammon will be ≈very scared when Yahweh punishes them.

He’ll do that so powerfully that people will stop worshipping all other gods.

People in every nation will worship Yahweh instead—each person in their own country.

Judgment against Ethiopia and Assyria; Against Cush

12 Also you, Ethiopians (Kushites), will be ≈killed by my sword.[ref]

Against Assyria

13 @Yahweh will ≈punish those in the north.

≈Yes, he’ll destroy Assyria.

≈He’ll ≈turn Nineveh ≈into ruins—

it’ll become a dry place like the desert.[ref]

14 Herds of every kind of wild animals will lie down in the middle of it,

≈Various kinds of owls will sit on the pillars still standing.

A call will hoot in the window.

≈Rubble will blocking any doorways still upright,

because the cedar planks will be ≈exposed.

15 This is the ≈proud city ≈where people lived in security.

The one ≈with a reputation: “≈No other city compares with me.”

How it’s become a ruin—≈a home for the wild animals.

Every one passing by will hiss at it in derision,

and shake their fist remembering their hate for it.

3 The one rebelling and being defiled ≈is to be pited—

the city ≈of oppressors.

2 She doesn’t ≈listen to what she’s told.

≈She doesn’t take correction.

She ≈refuses to trust in Yahweh.

≈She won’t ≈approach her God.

3 Her ≈leaders are roaring lions ≈among the flock.

≈Her judges are wolves that approach in the evening.

≈There’s nothing left to eat by the morning.

4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous men.

≈Her priests profane the sanctuary—they violate God’s law.

5 Yahweh ≈behaves fairly in her midst.

≈He doesn’t ≈do anything that’s wrong.

He ≈makes fair and just judgements every morning.

At every dawn, he’s ≈present there,

and ≈yet those who are disobedient have no shame.

6 I’ve ≈destroyed nations—≈broken down their walls.

≈I’ve destroyed their streets ≈and now they’re deserted.

Their cities are ruined, ≈lifeless,

≈without anyone living in them.

7 I said, ‘Surely you will ≈respect me ≈and accept correction.

≈Then ≈she won’t die as a city because of my punishing her.’

Nevertheless, they ≈got up early to do all their corrupt activities.

Punishment and Conversion of the Nations

8 Yahweh declares:

Wait for me, for ≈when I pounce on the prey,

because my decision is to gather nations and assemble kingdoms,

to pour my indignation ≈and all my anger out on them,

because the whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.

9 Then I’ll ≈be sure to give pure speech to the peoples,

so all of them can ≈pray to Yahweh,

and serve him ≈side-by-side.

10 From across the rivers of Ethiopia (Cush), my worshippers,

my scattered ≈children will return and bring my offering.

A remnant preserved

11 On that day you won’t feel ≈ashamed about all the times you disobeyed me,

because ≈at that time, I’ll remove ≈those proud people from among you,

and you won’t continue to be arrogant on my sacred mountain.

12 And I’ll leave the poorer and humble people among you,

and they’ll trust in Yahweh’s ≈authority.

13 The ≈surviving Israelis won’t ≈do what is wrong.

≈They won’t tell #lies ≈or deceive others.

Instead they’ll ≈eat and sleep in peace,

≈No one will be there to terrify them.[ref]

14 Zion’s daughter, sing happily.

≈All Yisrael, shout aloud.

#Daughters of Yerushalem, ≈be happy and triumphant will all your being.

15 Yahweh ≈will stop punishing you.

He’s ≈forced your enemy to retreat.

Yisrael’s king, Yahweh, is among you.

≈Don’t worry any more about being harmed.

16 In that day Yerushalem will be told,

“Don’t ≈be afraid, Zion.

Don’t ≈let your hands grow weak.

17 Your God Yahweh is ≈right there.

A powerful warrior, he’ll save you.

He’ll ≈be so happy about you.

He’ll be silent in his love.

He’ll talk happily about ≈your rescue.”

18 I will gather those among you who grieve ≈so they can attend the celebrations.

≈They were taken as tribute and it was a reproach.

19 Look, I’ll be dealing with all of your oppressors at that time.

I’ll save your ≈people who are disabled or who’ve been shamed.

Then I’ll ≈get them praising,

and ≡change their shame into a ≈good reputation around the world.

20 At that time I will bring you all in—

≈yes, ≈I’ll gather you all together at that time.

≈You’ll have a good reputation and people all over the world will praise you,

as I restore your good fortune ≈right in front of your eyes.

Yahweh has spoken.