Zephaniah 2

1 Gather together, and gather together, O nation not desired,

2 before the bringing forth of the decree—the day passes like chaff—before the burning of the anger of YHWH comes upon you⁺, before the day of the anger of YHWH comes upon you⁺.

3 Seek YHWH, all humble ones of the earth, who have done His justice; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you⁺ will be hidden away on the day of the nose of YHWH.

4 For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon as a desolation; they will drive out Ashdod at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.

5 Woe [to] those dwelling on the coast of the sea, O nation of Cherethites. The word of YHWH [is] against you⁺, O Canaan, land of the Philistines, “And I will make you perish and no one will be dwelling!”

6 And the coast of the sea will become pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds the flock.

7 And the coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah; upon them they will shepherd; in the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down in the evening. For YHWH their God will attend to them and turn back their captivity.

8 “I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the sons of Ammon, with which they have scorned My people, and magnified [themselves] against their border.

9 Therefore, [as] I live,” a declaration of YHWH of Hosts the God of Israel, “Surely Moab will become like Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah, a possession of the nettle and the pit of salt, and a desolation even to forever! The remnant of My people will plunder them, and the remainder of My people will possess them.”

10 This [is] unto them in exchange for their pride, because they have scorned and magnified [themselves] against the people of YHWH of Hosts.

11 Fearsome [is] YHWH against them, for he will starve all the gods of the earth; and will bow down to Him all the coasts of the nations, each man from his place.

12 “Also you⁺, O Cushites—they will be slain by My sword.”

13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north, and He will destroy Assyria; and He will set Nineveh as a desolation, as dry as the desert.

14 And the herds will lie down in her midst, every beast of the nation; even the desert owl and screech owl will lodge in her capitals. Their voice will sing in the window, desolation on the threshold; for He will lay bare the cedar work.

15 This [is] the jubilant city the one dwelling in security, saying in her heart, “I [am], and ceases to be another!” How she has become as a desolation, a resting place for the beast! Everyone passing by her will hiss and shake his fist.