Jerusalem's Sin and Restoration

Zephaniah 3

The chapter first laments the city's corrupt princes, judges, prophets, and priests, and declares that the just Lord who dwells in her midst does no injustice. It then turns to a promise of restoration, calling the peoples to serve the Lord with one accord and calling the daughter of Sion to rejoice, for the Lord will save her, gather the afflicted, and turn back her captivity before the eyes of the nations.

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

ThomsonO THE illustrious and redeemed city!

BrentonAlas the glorious and ransomed city.

GreekὪ ἡ ἐπιφανὴς καὶ ἀπολελυτρωμένη πόλις,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThis dove hearkened not to a voice. She received not instruction; she trusted not in the Lord, nor did she draw near to her God.

BrentonThe dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God.

Greekἡ περιστερὰ οὐκ εἰσήκουσε φωνῆς· οὐκ ἐδέξατο παιδείαν, ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐπεποίθει, καὶ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν αὐτῆς οὐκ ἤγγισεν.

KJVShe obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

JPSShe hearkened not the voice, She received not correction; She trusted not in the LORD, She drew not near to her God.

ThomsonHer chiefs within her were like roaring lions, and her judges like the wolves of Arabia. They left nothing for the morning.

BrentonHer princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morrow.

GreekΟἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῆς ἐν αὐτῇ ὡς λέοντες ὠρυόμενοι, οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῆς ὡς λύκοι τῆς Ἀραβίας, οὐχ ὑπελίποντο εἰς τοπρωΐ.

KJVHer princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

JPSHer princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves of the desert, They leave not a bone for the morrow.

ThomsonHer prophets are enthusiasts, arrogant men: her priests profane the Holies and unhallow the law.

BrentonHer prophets are light and scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law.

GreekΟἱ προφῆται αὐτῆς πνευματοφόροι, ἄνδρες καταφρονηταί· ἱερεῖς αὐτῆς βεβηλοῦσι τὰ ἅγια, καὶ ἀσεβοῦσι νόμον.

KJVHer prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

JPSHer prophets are wanton And treacherous persons; Her priests have profaned that which is holy, They have done violence to the law.

ThomsonBut the righteous Lord is in the midst of her and will not do an unjust thing. Every morning He will bring His judgment to light: for it was not hidden; nor did He countenance injustice for solicitation, nor make injustice successful.

BrentonBut the just Lord is in the midst of her, and he will never do an unjust thing: morning by morning he will bring out his judgment to the light, and it is not hidden, and he knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.

GreekὉ δὲ Κύριος δίκαιος ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐ μὴ ποιήσῃ ἄδικον· πρωῒ πρωῒ δώσει κρίμα αὐτοῦ εἰς φῶς, καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρύβη, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνω ἀδικίαν ἐν ἀπαιτήσει, καὶ οὐκ εἰς νεῖκος ἀδικίαν.

KJVThe just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

JPSThe LORD who is righteous is in the midst of her, He will not do unrighteousness; Every morning doth He bring His right to light, It faileth not; But the unrighteous knoweth no shame.

Thomson(J) With destruction I dragged down the proud. Their towers were made desolate. I will make their highways entirely waste, that none may travel them. Their cities are destroyed so that there is not a man—not an inhabitant.

BrentonI have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling in them.

GreekἘν διαφθορᾷ κατέσπασα ὑπερηφάνους, ἠφανίσθησαν γωνίαι αὐτῶν· ἐξερημώσω τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν τοπαράπαν, τοῦ μὴ διοδεύειν· ἐξέλιπον αἱ πόλεις αὐτῶν, παρὰ τὸ μηδένα ὑπάρχειν, μηδὲ κατοικεῖν.

KJVI have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

JPSI have cut off nations, Their corners are desolate; I have made their streets waste, So that none passeth by; Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, So that there is no inhabitant.

ThomsonI have spoken. Nevertheless, fear Me, and receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off out of her sight. All that I have inflicted on her, repair thou. Arise betimes. (p) All the gleanings of them are spoiled.

BrentonI said, But do ye fear me, and receive instruction, and ye shall not be cut off from the face of the land for all the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare thou, rise early: all their produce is spoilt.

GreekΕἶπα, πλὴν φοβεῖσθέ με, καὶ δέξασθε παιδείαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξολοθρευθῆτε ἐξ ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῆς πάντα ὅσα ἐξεδίκησα ἐπʼ αὐτήν· ἑτοιμάζου, ὄρθρισον, ἔφθαρται πᾶσα ἡ ἐπιφυλλὶς αὐτῶν.

KJVI said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

JPSI said: ‘Surely thou wilt fear Me, Thou wilt receive correction; So her dwelling shall not be cut off, Despite all that I have visited upon her’; But they betimes corrupted all their doings.

Thomson(J) On that very account, wait thou for Me, saith the Lord, until the day of My resurrection for a testimony. For this judgment of Mine is for the assemblies of nations; to admit kings, to pour out all the fury of My wrath on them. For by the fire of My zeal all this land shall be utterly destroyed,

BrentonTherefore wait upon me, saith the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: because my judgment shall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to me kings, to pour out upon them all my fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of my jealousy.

GreekΔιατοῦτο ὑπόμεινόν με, λέγει Κύριος, εἰς ἡμέραν ἀναστάσεώς μου εἰς μαρτύριον· διὸ τὸ κρίμα μου εἰς συναγωγὰς ἐθνῶν, τοῦ εἰσδέκασθαι βασιλεῖς, τοῦ ἐκχέαι ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς πᾶσαν ὀργὴν θυμοῦ· διότι ἐν πυρὶ ζήλου μου καταναλωθήσεται πᾶσα ἡ γῆ.

KJVTherefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

JPSTherefore wait ye for Me, saith the LORD, Until the day that I rise up to the prey; For My determination is to gather the nations, That I may assemble the kingdoms, To pour upon them Mine indignation, Even all My fierce anger; For all the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy.

Thomsonthat I may then bring back upon peoples a tongue for its generation, that they may all invoke the name of the Lord—that they may serve Him under one yoke.

BrentonFor then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve him under one yoke.

GreekὍτι τότε μεταστρέψω ἐπὶ λαοὺς γλῶσσαν εἰς γενεὰν αὐτῆς, τοῦ ἐπικαλεῖσθαι πάντας τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου, τοῦ δουλεύειν αὐτῷ ὑπὸ ζυγὸν ἕνα.

KJVFor then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

JPSFor then will I turn to the peoples A pure language, That they may all call upon the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one consent.

ThomsonFrom the ends of the rivers of Ethiopia I will expect them; among My dispersed they shall bring sacrifices for Me.

BrentonFrom the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive my dispersed ones; they shall offer sacrifices to me.

GreekἘκ περάτων ποταμῶν Αἰθιοπίας· προσδέξομαι ἐν διεσπαρμένοις μου, οἴσουσι θυσίας μοι.

KJVFrom beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

JPSFrom beyond the rivers of Ethiopia Shall they bring My suppliants, Even the daughter of My dispersed, As Mine offering.

ThomsonIn that day thou shalt not be put to shame for all thy devices, which thou hast impiously devised against Me; because I will then take away from thee those trifles which occasion thy haughtiness, that thou mayst no more continue to boast of My holy mountain;

BrentonIn that day thou shalt not be ashamed of all thy practices, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then will I take away from thee thy disdainful pride, and thou shalt no more magnify thyself upon my holy mountain.

GreekἘν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇς ἐκ πάντων τῶν ἐπιτηδευμάτων σου, ὧν ἠσέβησας εἰς ἐμέ· ὅτι τότε περιελῶ ἀπὸ σοῦ τὰ φαυλίσματα τῆς ὕβρεώς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι μὴ προσθῇς, τοῦ μεγαλαυχῆσαι ἐπὶ τὸ ὄρος τὸ ἅγιόν μου.

KJVIn that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

JPSIn that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, Wherein thou hast transgressed against Me; For then I will take away out of the midst of thee Thy proudly exulting ones, And thou shalt no more be haughty In My holy mountain.

Thomsonand I will then expect in thee a meek and lowly people;

BrentonAnd I will leave in thee a meek and lowly people;

GreekΚαὶ ὑπολήψομαι ἐν σοὶ λαὸν πρᾳῢν καὶ ταπεινὸν, καὶ εὐλαβηθήσονται ἀπὸ τοῦ ὀνόματος Κυρίου

KJVI will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

JPSAnd I will leave in the midst of thee An afflicted and poor people, And they shall take refuge in the name of the LORD.

Thomsonand the remnant of Israel will revere the name of the Lord, and no more commit iniquity, nor speak vain things; nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they shall feed and lie down and there shall be none to make them afraid.

Brentonand the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity, neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.

Greekοἱ κατάλοιποι τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οὐ ποιήσουσιν ἀδικίαν, καὶ οὐ λαλήσουσι μάταια, καὶ οὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν γλῶσσα δολία· διότι αὐτοὶ νεμήσονται, καὶ κοιτασθήσονται, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ ἐκφοβῶν αὐτούς.

KJVThe 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.

JPSThe 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.

Thomson(p) Rejoice, O daughters of Sion, Make proclamation, O daughters of Jerusalem! Be glad and rejoice with thy whole heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

BrentonRejoice, O daughter of Sion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight thyself with all thine heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

GreekΧαῖρε θύγατερ Σιὼν, κήρυσσε θύγατερ Ἱερουσαλήμ· εὐφραίνου καὶ κατατέρπου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου θύγατερ Ἱερουσαλήμ.

KJVSing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

JPSSing, O daughter of Zion, Shout, O Israel; Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

ThomsonThe Lord hath taken away thy transgressions; He hath redeemed thee out of the hand of thine enemies. The king of Israel—the Lord—is in the midst of thee; thou shalt no more see evils.

BrentonThe Lord has taken away thine iniquities, he has ransomed thee from the hand of thine enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

GreekΠεριεῖλε Κύριος τὰ ἀδικήματά σου, λελύτρωταί σε ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν σου· βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ Κύριος ἐν μέσῳ σου, οὐκ ὄψῃ κακὰ οὐκέτι.

KJVThe LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

JPSThe LORD hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy; The King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee; Thou shalt not fear evil any more.

ThomsonAt that time the Lord will say to Jerusalem: Take courage, Sion. Let not thy hands hang down.

BrentonAt that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Sion; let not thine hands be slack.

GreekἘν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἐρεῖ Κύριος τῇ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, θάρσει Σιὼν, μὴ παρείσθωσαν αἱ χεῖρές σου.

KJVIn that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

JPSIn that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack.

ThomsonThe Lord thy God is with thee. The Mighty One will save thee. He will bring thee gladness and renew thee in His love; and rejoice over thee with joy as in the day of a festival,

BrentonThe Lord thy God is in thee; the Mighty One shall save thee: he shall bring joy upon thee, and shall refresh thee with his love; and he shall rejoice over thee with delight as in a day of feasting.

GreekΚύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐν σοὶ, ὁ δυνατὸς σώσει σε, ἐπάξει ἐπὶ δὲ εὐφροσύνην, καὶ καινιεῖ σε ἐν τῇ ἀγαπήσει αὐτοῦ· καὶ εὐφρανθήσεται ἐπὶ σὲ ἐν τέρψει ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἑορτῆς.

KJVThe LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

JPSThe LORD thy God is in the midst of thee, A Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over thee with joy, He will be silent in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.’

Thomsonwhen I have gathered those of you who have been bruised. Ha! who is this that hath taken up a reproach against her?

BrentonAnd I will gather thine afflicted ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her?

GreekΚαὶ συνάξω τοὺς συντετριμμένους σου· οὐαὶ, τίς ἔλαβεν ἐπʼ αὐτὴν ὀνειδισμόν;

KJVI will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

JPSI will gather them that are far from the appointed season, who are of thee, That hast borne the burden of reproach.

ThomsonBehold here am I—I am dealing with thee for thy sake at that time, saith the Lord, and I will save her who hath been trodden down; and take back her who hath been put away; and I will make them a boast and renowned in every land. And they shall be ashamed at that time when I deal kindly with you.

BrentonBehold, I will work in thee for thy sake at that time, saith the Lord: and I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honoured in all the earth.

GreekἸδοὺ ἐγὼ ποιῶ ἐν σοὶ ἔνεκέν σου ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ σώσω τὴν ἐκπεπιεσμένην, καὶ τὴν ἀπωσμένην εἰσδέξομαι, καὶ θήσομαι αὐτοὺς εἰς καύχημα, καὶ ὀνομαστοὺς ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ.

KJVBehold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

JPSBehold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; And I will save her that is lame, And gather her that was driven away; And I will make them to be a praise and a name, Whose shame hath been in all the earth.

ThomsonEven at the time when I take you back. For I will make you renowned, and a boast among all the people of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before their eyes, saith the Lord.

BrentonAnd their enemies shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you, and at the time when I shall receive you: for I will make you honoured and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, saith the Lord.

Greekκαὶ καταισχυνθήσονται ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὅταν καλῶς ὑμῖν ποιήσω, καὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ, ὅταν εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς· διότι δώσω ὑμᾶς ὀνομαστοὺς, καὶ εἰς καύχημα ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς λαοῖς τῆς γῆς, ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέφειν με τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν ὑμῶν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVAt 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, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

JPSAt that time will I bring you in, And at that time will I gather you; For I will make you to be a name and a praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I turn your captivity before your eyes, Saith the LORD.