📖 Zephaniah — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to RTher that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
Zephaniah 3:2 She Robeyed not the voice; she received not Tcorrection; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Zephaniah 3:3 Her Rprinces within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
Zephaniah 3:4 Her prophets are Rlight and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
Zephaniah 3:5 The Rjust LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: Tevery morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Zephaniah 3:6 I have Rcut off the nations: their Ttowers 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.
Zephaniah 3:7 I said, RSurely 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.
Zephaniah 3:8 Therefore Rwait 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.
Zephaniah 3:9 For then Rwill I turn to the people a pure Tlanguage, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one Tconsent.
Zephaniah 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
Zephaniah 3:11 In that day Rshalt 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 Tbecause of my holy mountain.
Zephaniah 3:12 I will also Rleave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:13 The Rremnant 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.
Zephaniah 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; Rshout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
Zephaniah 3:15 The LORD Rhath 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.
Zephaniah 3:16 In that day it shall Rbe said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be Tslack.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God Rin the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will Trest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:18 I will Rgather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the Treproach of it was a burden.
Zephaniah 3:19 Behold, at that time RI will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will Tget them praise and fame in every land Twhere they have been put to shame.
Zephaniah 3:20 At that time will I bring you again, Reven 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Zephaniah 3:1–7 — The oppressing city refuses the just Lord’s correction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The city does not obey, trust, or draw near. Predatory princes and judges, treacherous prophets, and profaning priests contrast with the just Lord; earlier judgments have still not produced instruction.
Key Truth: Receive correction and use responsibility justly.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Woe to her that is ____ and polluted, to the oppressing city!” (Zephaniah 3:1)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the ____ .” (Zephaniah 3:4)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “I said, Surely thou wilt ____ me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not …” (Zephaniah 3:7)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Zephaniah 3:8–13 — Judgment leads toward humble and truthful worship
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Lord announces gathered nations for judgment, then a pure language for united service. Pride is removed, an afflicted and poor people trust his name, and the remnant lives without lies or fear.
Key Truth: Let worship grow in humility and truthfulness.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce ____ : for all the earth shall be devoured with the …” (Zephaniah 3:8)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy ____ , and thou shalt no more be haughty because of …” (Zephaniah 3:11)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful ____ be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and …” (Zephaniah 3:13)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Zephaniah 3:14–20 — The Lord’s presence brings joy and gathering
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Zion is called to sing because the Lord has removed judgment and is in her midst. His saving power and rejoicing accompany promises to gather mourners, the halted, and the driven out, restoring those formerly put to shame.
Key Truth: Let the promise of gathering shape care for those excluded.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Sing, O ____ of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with …” (Zephaniah 3:14)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with ____ ; he will rest in his love, he will joy …” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “At that ____ will I bring you again, even in the time that …” (Zephaniah 3:20)
Find it in Zephaniah 3:20 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Micah 4:6 — Micah also promises the gathering of the halted and those driven out.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Who needs the care and welcome that hope in God’s gathering should inspire?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Zephaniah 3:1–7 (The oppressing city refuses the just Lord’s correction) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Zephaniah 3:8–13 (Judgment leads toward humble and truthful worship) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Zephaniah 3:14–20 (The Lord’s presence brings joy and gathering) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What purpose accompanies the promise of a pure language?
5. How is the LORD's presence described in the restoration promise?
Notes
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