Judgment on the Nations
Zephaniah 2
The Lord calls the nation to seek him and to seek justice and meekness before the day of wrath arrives. He then pronounces destruction on the Philistine cities, on Moab and Ammon, on the Ethiopians, and on Assyria and Nineve, while promising that the remnant of Juda will inherit and pasture in the lands of their former enemies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonBe ye gathered and closely joined together, O unchastened nation;
GreekΣυνάχθητε, καὶ συνδέθητε τὸ ἔθνος τὸ ἀπαίδευτον,
KJVGather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
JPSGather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O shameless nation;
2
Thomsonbefore the wrath of the Lord come upon you—before the day of the fierce anger of the Lord reach you.
Brentonbefore ye become as the flower that passes away, before the anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the wrath of the Lord come upon you.
Greekπρὸ τοῦ γενέσθαι ὑμᾶς ὡς ἄνθος παραπορευόμενον, πρὸ τοῦ ἐπελθεῖν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς ὀργὴν Κυρίου, πρὸ τοῦ ἐπελθεῖν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς ἡμέραν θυμοῦ Κυρίου.
KJVBefore the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’s anger come upon you.
JPSBefore the decree bring forth The day when one passeth as the chaff, Before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.
3
ThomsonSeek the Lord, all ye meek of the land; exercise judgment and seek righteousness, and live answerably; that you may be sheltered in the day of the anger of the Lord.
BrentonSeek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth; do judgment, and seek justice, and answer accordingly; that ye may be hid in the day of the wrath of the Lord.
GreekΖητήσατε τὸν Κύριον πάντες ταπεινοὶ γῆς, κρίμα ἐργάζεσθε, καὶ δικαιοσύνην ζητήσατε, καὶ ἀποκρίνασθε αὐτὰ, ὅπως σκεπασθῆτε ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὀργῆς Κυρίου.
KJVSeek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.
JPSSeek ye the LORD, all ye humble of the earth, That have executed His ordinance; Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
4
ThomsonFor Gaza shall be plundered and Askalon shall be a waste; and Azotus shall be driven out at noonday, and Akkaron shall be rooted out.
BrentonFor Gaza shall be utterly spoiled, and Ascalon shall be destroyed; and Azotus shall be cast forth at noon-day, and Accaron shall be rooted up.
GreekΔιότι Γάζα διηρπασμένη ἔσται, καὶ Ἀσκάλων εἰς ἀφανισμὸν, καὶ Ἄζωτος μεσημβρίας ἐκριφήσεται, καὶ Ἀκκαρὼν ἐκριζωθήσεται.
KJVFor Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
JPS—
5
ThomsonAlas for them who inhabit the seacoast—the emigrants from Crete! a word of the Lord is against you in Chanaan, the land of the Philistines, and I will destroy you from your habitations.
BrentonWoe to them that dwell on the border of the sea, neighbours of the Cretans! the word of the Lord is against you, O Chanaan, land of the Philistines, and I will destroy you out of your dwelling-place.
GreekΟὐαὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὸ σχοίνισμα τῆς θαλάσσης, πάροικοι Κρητῶν· λόγος Κυρίου ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς Χαναὰν, γῆ ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἀπολῶ ὑμᾶς ἐκ κατοικίας.
KJVWoe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
JPSWoe unto the inhabitants of the sea-coast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines; I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
6
ThomsonAnd Crete shall be a pasture for flocks and a fold for sheep;
BrentonAnd Crete shall be a pasture of flocks, and a fold of sheep.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται Κρήτη νομὴ ποιμνίων, καὶ μάνδρα προβάτων.
KJV—
JPS—
7
Thomsonand the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Juda. They shall feed upon them. In the houses of Askalon they will lie down in the evening for fear of the children of Juda. Because the Lord their God hath visited them; therefore He will bring back their captivity.
BrentonAnd the sea coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Juda; they shall pasture upon them in the houses of Ascalon; they shall rest in the evening because of the children of Juda; for the Lord their God has visited them, and he will turn away their captivity.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται τὸ σχοίνισμα τῆς θαλάσσης τοῖς καταλοίποις οἴκου Ἰούδα, ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς νεμήσονται ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις Ἀσκάλωνος, δείλης καταλύσουσιν ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶν Ἰούδα, ὅτι ἐπέσκεπται αὐτοὺς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀποστρέψει τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
JPSAnd it shall be a portion for the remnant of the house of Judah, Whereon they shall feed; In the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening; For the LORD their God will remember them, And turn their captivity.
8
ThomsonI have heard the revilings of Moab and the buffets of the children of Ammon, with which they have reproached My people, and magnified themselves against My borders:
BrentonI have heard the revilings of Moab, and the insults of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reviled my people, and magnified themselves against my coasts.
GreekἬκουσα ὀνειδισμοὺς Μωὰβ, καὶ κονδυλισμοὺς υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν, ἐν οἷς ὠνείδιζον τὸν λαόν μου, καὶ ἐμεγαλύνοντο ἐπὶ τὰ ὅριά μου.
KJVI have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
JPSI have heard the taunt of Moab, And the revilings of the children of Ammon, Wherewith they have taunted My people, And spoken boastfully concerning their border.
9
Thomsontherefore as I live, saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorra; and Damascus shall be left like the heap of a winnowing floor, and shall be desolate forever, that the remnant of My people may spoil them: and the remains of My nation shall inherit them.
BrentonTherefore, as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall be as Sodoma, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrha; and Damascus shall be left as a heap of the threshing-floor, and desolate for ever: and the remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the remnant of my nation shall inherit them.
GreekΔιατοῦτο, ζῶ ἐγὼ, λέγει Κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, διότι Μωὰβ ὡς Σόδομα ἔσται, καὶ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν ὡς Γόμοῤῥα, καὶ Δαμασκὸς ἐκλελειμμένη ὡς θιμωνία ἅλωνος, καὶ ἠφανισμένη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι λαοῦ μου διαρπῶνται αὐτοὺς, καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι ἔθνους μου κληρονομήσουσιν αὐτούς.
KJVTherefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
JPSTherefore as I live, Saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, And the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, Even the breeding-place of nettles, and saltpits, And a desolation, for ever; The residue of My people shall spoil them, And the remnant of My nation shall inherit them.
10
ThomsonThis they shall have for their haughtiness, and their reproaches and for magnifying themselves against the Lord Almighty.
BrentonThis is their punishment in return for their haughtiness, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the Lord Almighty.
GreekΑὕτη αὐτοῖς ἀντὶ τῆς ὕβρεως αὐτῶν, διότι ὠνείδισαν, καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθησαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον τὸν παντοκράτορα.
KJVThis shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
JPSThis shall they have for their pride, Because they have taunted and spoken boastfully Against the people of the LORD of hosts.
11
ThomsonThe Lord will display Himself illustriously against them, and will root out all the gods of the nations of the earth, and all the isles of the nations shall worship Him, each one from his place—
BrentonThe Lord shall appear against them, and shall utterly destroy all the gods of the nations of the earth; and they shall worship him every one from his place, even all the islands of the nations.
GreekἘπιφανήσεται Κύριος ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐξολοθρεύσει πάντας τοὺς θεοὺς τῶν ἐθνῶν τῆς γῆς, καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτῷ ἔκαστος ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ, πᾶσαι αἱ νῆσοι τῶν ἐθνῶν.
KJVThe LORD will be terrible unto 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 heathen.
JPSThe LORD will be terrible unto them; For He will famish all the gods of the earth; Then shall all the isles of the nations worship Him, Every one from its place.
12
Thomsoneven you Ethiopians are the victims of My sword.
BrentonYe Ethiopians also are the slain of my sword.
GreekΚαὶ ὑμεῖς Αἰθίοπες τραυματίαι ῥομφαίας μου ἐστέ.
KJVYe Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
JPSYe Ethiopians also, Ye shall be slain by My sword.
13
ThomsonAnd He will stretch forth His hand against the north, and destroy the Assyrian and make Ninive a desolation—dry as a desert,
BrentonAnd he shall stretch forth his hand against the north and destroy the Assyrian, and make Nineve a dry wilderness, even as a desert.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκτενεῖ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ Βοῤῥᾶν, καὶ ἀπολεῖ τὸν Ἀσσύριον, καὶ θήσει τὴν Νινευὴ εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἄνυδρον, ὡς ἔρημον.
KJVAnd he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
JPSAnd He will stretch out His hand against the north, And destroy Assyria; And will make Nineveh a desolation, And dry like the wilderness.
14
Thomsonand in the midst of it flocks shall feed and all the wild beasts of the land. In its stalls the chameleons and porcupines shall make their beds; and wild beasts shall utter their cries in its vaults, and ravens in its gates; for a cedar is the only relict of it.
BrentonAnd flocks, and all the wild beasts of the land, and chameleons shall feed in the midst thereof: and hedgehogs shall lodge in the ceilings thereof; and wild beasts shall cry in the breaches thereof, and ravens in her porches, whereas her loftiness was as a cedar.
GreekΚαὶ νεμήσονται ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ποίμνια, καὶ πάντα τὰ θηρία τῆς γῆς, καὶ χαμαιλέοντες, καὶ ἐχῖνοι ἐν τοῖς φατνώμασιν αὐτῆς κοιτασθήσονται· καὶ θηρία φωνήσει ἐν τοῖς διορύγμασιν αὐτῆς καὶ κόρακες ἐν τοῖς πυλῶσιν αὐτῆς, διότι κέδρος τὸ ἀνάστημα αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
JPSAnd all beasts of every kind Shall lie down in the midst of her in herds; Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge in the capitals thereof; Voices shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be in the posts; For the cedar-work thereof shall be uncovered.
15
ThomsonThis is the scornful city which dwelleth securely, which saith in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me. How it is become a desolation, the haunt of wild beasts! Everyone who passeth through it will express his pity and shake his hands.
BrentonThis is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and there is no longer any to be after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of wild beasts! every one that passes through her shall hiss, and shake his hands.
GreekΑὕτη ἡ πόλις ἡ φαυλίστρια, ἡ κατοικοῦσα ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι, ἡ λέγουσα ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς, ἐγώ εἰμι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι μετʼ ἐμὲ ἔτι· πῶς ἐγενήθη εἰς ἀφανισμὸν, νομὴ θηρίων; πᾶς ὁ διαπορευόμενος διʼ αὐτῆς συριεῖ, καὶ κινήσει τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ.
KJVThis is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
JPSThis is the joyous city That dwelt without care, That said in her heart: ‘I am, and there is none else beside me’; How is she become a desolation, A place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passeth by her Shall hiss, and wag his hand.