1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:
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1 Warning of Coming Destruction
2 "I will sweep away everything 2 from the face of the earth," 2 declares the Lord.
3 "I will sweep away both men and animals; 3 I will sweep away the birds of the air 3 and the fish of the sea. 3 The wicked will have only heaps of rubble[a] 3 when I cut off man from the face of the earth," 3 declares the Lord.
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4 Against Judah
4 "I will stretch out my hand against Judah 4 and against all who live in Jerusalem. 4 I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, 4 the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests—
5 those who bow down on the roofs 5 to worship the starry host, 5 those who bow down and swear by the Lord 5 and who also swear by Molech,[b]
6 those who turn back from following the Lord 6 and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.
7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, 7 for the day of the Lord is near. 7 The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; 7 he has consecrated those he has invited.
8 On the day of the Lord's sacrifice 8 I will punish the princes 8 and the king's sons 8 and all those clad 8 in foreign clothes.
9 On that day I will punish 9 all who avoid stepping on the threshold,[c] 9 who fill the temple of their gods 9 with violence and deceit.
10 "On that day," declares the Lord, 10 "a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, 10 wailing from the New Quarter, 10 and a loud crash from the hills.
11 Wail, you who live in the market district[d]; 11 all your merchants will be wiped out, 11 all who trade with[e] silver will be ruined.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps 12 and punish those who are complacent, 12 who are like wine left on its dregs, 12 who think, 'The Lord will do nothing, 12 either good or bad.'
13 Their wealth will be plundered, 13 their houses demolished. 13 They will build houses 13 but not live in them; 13 they will plant vineyards 13 but not drink the wine.
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14 The Great Day of the Lord
14 "The great day of the Lord is near— 14 near and coming quickly. 14 Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, 14 the shouting of the warrior there.
