Zephaniah 1:7-2:3

7Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

8“On the day of the LORD ’s sacrifice I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all those clad in foreign clothes.

9On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, See 1 Samuel 5:5. who fill the temple of their gods with violence and deceit.

10“On that day,” declares the LORD, “a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills.

11Wail, you who live in the market district Or the Mortar ; all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with Or in silver will be destroyed.

12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’

13Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.”

14The great day of the LORD is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.

15That day will be a day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness—

16a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.

17“I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the LORD . Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung. 18Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD ’s wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

Judah and Jerusalem Judged Along With the Nations Judah Summoned to Repent 1Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation,

2before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the LORD ’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the LORD ’s wrath comes upon you.

3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD ’s anger.