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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Zephaniah 2 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/zephaniah/2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/zephaniah/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Zephaniah 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../zephaniah/1.htm" title="Zephaniah 1">◄</a> Zephaniah 2 <a href="../zephaniah/3.htm" title="Zephaniah 3">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/zephaniah/2.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">A Plea for Repentance to the People</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>“Gather together!</p> <p class="poetry2">Yes, indeed, gather together,</p> <p class="poetry2">you shameless nation!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Before the decree is carried out,</p> <p class="poetry2">before the day flies away like chaff,</p> <p class="poetry2">before the fierce anger of the LORD visits you,</p> <p class="poetry2">before the Day of the LORD’s wrath surprises<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:2 Lit. wrath comes upon">a</a></span> you,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>seek the LORD, all you humble people of the land,</p> <p class="poetry2">who do what he commands.</p> <p class="poetry2">Seek righteousness!</p> <p class="poetry2">Seek humility!</p> <p class="poetry2">Maybe you will be protected in the Day of the LORD’s anger.”</p> <p class="heading">The Coming Destruction of Philistine Cities</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>“For Gaza will be forsaken,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:4 MT word forsaken sounds like The Heb. name Gaza.">b</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and Ashkelon deserted—</p> <p class="poetry2">Ashdod will be emptied at high noon;</p> <p class="poetry2">even Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:4 MT word uprooted sounds like The Heb. name Ekron.">c</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Woe to those who live along the coast,</p> <p class="poetry2">the people of Philistia!<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:5 Lit. of the Cherethites">d</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">This message from the LORD is being spoken against you,</p> <p class="poetry2">Canaan, land of the Philistines:</p> <p class="poetry2">‘I’ll destroy you until no one lives there!’</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>The Philistine<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:6 Lit. Cherethite">e</a></span> coast will become meadows</p> <p class="poetry2">for shepherds and sheep pens.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The survivors of Judah will find pasture on it;</p> <p class="poetry2">at twilight they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon,</p> <p class="poetry2">for the LORD their God will visit them,</p> <p class="poetry2">restoring their prosperity.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:7 Or them, turning away their captivity">f</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">The Lord’s Rebuke to Moab and Ammon</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>“I’ve heard Moab’s insults</p> <p class="poetry2">and the curses from those Ammonites<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:8 Lit. the descendants of Ammon; so also in v. 9.">g</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">by which they defame my people</p> <p class="poetry2">and boast about their territory.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Therefore as I’m alive and living,” declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel,</p> <p class="poetry2">“Moab will surely become like Sodom,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the Ammonites<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:9 Lit. the descendants of Ammon; so also in v. 9.">h</a></span> like Gomorrah,</p> <p class="poetry2">a place overrun by weeds and salty marshes,</p> <p class="poetry2">unpopulated forever.</p> <p class="poetry2">The survivors of my people will confiscate their property,</p> <p class="poetry2">and those who remain of my nation will inherit what was theirs.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:9 Cf. Obad 19-21">i</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>This they<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:10 i.e. the people of Edom and Moab">j</a></span> will have in lieu of their pride,</p> <p class="poetry2">because they have insulted and mocked the people of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The LORD will incite them to terror,</p> <p class="poetry2">because he will cause all the gods of the earth to waste away.</p> <p class="poetry2">They will worship him,</p> <p class="poetry2">every person in his own home,</p> <p class="poetry2">including even the coastlands of the nations.”</p> <p class="heading">The LORD’s Rebuke to Cush and Nineveh</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>“Now as for you, Cush,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:12 i.e. Sudan, Ethiopia, or southern Iraq">k</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">you<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:12 Lit. they">l</a></span> will surely be slain by my sword!</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>“And the LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:13 Lit. And he">m</a></span> will attack<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:13 Lit. stretch out his hand toward">n</a></span> the north, destroying Assyria.</p> <p class="poetry2">He will turn Nineveh into a desolate ruin,</p> <p class="poetry2">as dry as a desert wilderness.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Flocks will lie down in her midst,</p> <p class="poetry2">along with animals of every kind.</p> <p class="poetry2">Desert owls and screeching owls will nest at the top of the pillars,</p> <p class="poetry2">hooting through the vacant<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:14 The Heb. lacks vacant">o</a></span> windows,</p> <p class="poetry2">‘Ruin sits at these doorsills,’</p> <p class="poetry2">for he will expose even the cedar framework.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>This is that carefree city that lived irresponsibly,</p> <p class="poetry2">that told herself, ‘Me first!’<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:15 Lit. said in her heart, ‘I’">p</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and, ‘There will be no one else!’</p> <p class="poetry2">How ruined she has become—</p> <p class="poetry2">a habitat for wild animals!</p> <p class="poetry2">Everyone who passes by her will sneer at her</p> <p class="poetry2">and make obscene gestures!”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:15 Lit. and wag his hand">q</a></span> </p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 2:2 Lit. <i>wrath comes upon</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 2:4 MT word <i>forsaken</i> sounds like The Heb. name <i>Gaza.</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 2:4 MT word <i>uprooted</i> sounds like The Heb. name <i>Ekron</i>.<br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 2:5 Lit. <i>of the Cherethites</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 2:6 Lit. <i>Cherethite</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 2:7 Or <i>them, turning away their captivity</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 2:8 Lit. <i>the descendants of Ammon</i>; so also in v. 9.<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 2:9 Lit. <i>the descendants of Ammon</i>; so also in v. 9.<br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 2:9 Cf. Obad 19-21<br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 2:10 i.e. the people of Edom and Moab<br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 2:12 i.e. Sudan, Ethiopia, or southern Iraq<br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 2:12 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 2:13 Lit. <i>And he</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 2:13 Lit. <i>stretch out his hand toward</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 2:14 The Heb. lacks <i>vacant</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 2:15 Lit. <i>said in her heart, ‘I’</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 2:15 Lit. <i>and wag his hand</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../zephaniah/1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../zephaniah/3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/zephaniah/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>