Zephaniah 3:1 vae provocatrix et redempta civitas columba

Woe to the provoking and redeemed city, the dove!

3:2 non audivit vocem et non suscepit disciplinam in Domino non est confisa ad Deum suum non adpropiavit

She has not heard the voice and has not accepted discipline. She did not trust in the Lord, and did not come near to her God.

3:3 principes eius in medio eius quasi leones rugientes iudices eius lupi vespere non relinquebant in mane

Her princes in her midst are like roaring lions. Her judges are like wolves at evening. They will leave nothing behind at morning.

3:4 prophetae eius vesani viri infideles sacerdotes eius polluerunt sanctum iniuste egerunt contra legem

Her prophets are wild, unfaithful men. Her priests polluted the holy place. They carried on unjustly against the law.

3:5 Dominus iustus in medio eius non faciet iniquitatem mane mane iudicium suum dabit in luce et non abscondetur nescivit autem iniquus confusionem

The just Lord in her midst will not work treachery early. He will give her judgment early, in light, and it will not be hidden. But the betrayer has not known confusion.

3:6 disperdi gentes et dissipati sunt anguli earum desertas feci vias eorum dum non est qui transeat desolatae sunt civitates eorum non remanente viro nec ullo habitatore

I destroyed nations and their corners are scattered. I made their roads deserted, while there is no one who passes through. Their cities are desolate, no man remaining or any other inhabitant.

3:7 dixi attamen timebis me suscipies disciplinam et non peribit habitaculum eius propter omnia in quibus visitavi eam verumtamen diluculo surgentes corruperunt omnes cogitationes suas

I said, ‘Surely you will fear me. You will accept discipline and her dwelling will not perish, because I have visited her in all things.’ Nevertheless, rising up early, they corrupted all their thoughts.

3:8 quapropter expecta me dicit Dominus in die resurrectionis meae in futurum quia iudicium meum ut congregem gentes et colligam regna ut effundam super eas indignationem meam omnem iram furoris mei in igne enim zeli mei devorabitur omnis terra

Because of this, wait for me, the Lord says, on My resurrection’s day in the future, because of My judgment, so I may gather nations and collect kingdoms, so I may pour out my indignation over them, all my furies! For all the land will be devoured in My jealousy’s fire.

3:9 quia tunc reddam populis labium electum ut vocent omnes in nomine Domini et serviant ei umero uno

For then I will repay the chosen lip to the peoples, that all may call on the Lord’s name and serve Him with one arm.

3:10 ultra flumina Aethiopiae inde supplices mei filii dispersorum meorum deferent munus mihi

From beyond Ethiopia’s rivers, those praying to Me, the children of My scattered ones will bring Me gifts.

3:11 in die illa non confunderis super cunctis adinventionibus tuis quibus praevaricata es in me quia tunc auferam de medio tui magniloquos superbiae tuae et non adicies exaltari amplius in monte sancto meo

On that day, you will not be dismayed by all your inventions, by which you have lied to me, because then I will take away from among you your pride’s great boasters. And you will not add more to be praised on My holy mountain.

3:12 et derelinquam in medio tui populum pauperem et egenum et sperabunt in nomine Domini

And I will leave a poor and needy people among you, and they will hope in the Lord’s name.

3:13 reliquiae Israhel non facient iniquitatem nec loquentur mendacium et non invenietur in ore eorum lingua dolosa quoniam ipsi pascentur et accubabunt et non erit qui exterreat

Israel’s survivors will not work treachery or speak lies, and a lying tongue will not be found in their mouth, for they will be fed and will lie down, and there will be no one who terrifies them.

3:14 lauda filia Sion iubilate Israhel laetare et exulta in omni corde filia Hierusalem

Praise, Sion’s daughter! Shout for joy, Israel! Be happy and exult with all your heart, Jerusalem’s daughter!

3:15 abstulit Dominus iudicium tuum avertit inimicos tuos rex Israhel Dominus in medio tui non timebis malum ultra

The Lord has taken away your judgment. He has turned your enemies back. The Lord is among you, Israel’s King. You will not fear further harm.

3:16 in die illa dicetur Hierusalem noli timere Sion non dissolvantur manus tuae

It will be said to Jerusalem on that day, ‘Do not fear, Sion! Your hands will not be destroyed.’

3:17 Dominus Deus tuus in medio tui Fortis ipse salvabit gaudebit super te in laetitia silebit in dilectione tua exultabit super te in laude

The Lord your God is among you, the Mighty. He will make secure. He will rejoice over you in happiness. He will be silent in your delight. He will exult over you in praise.

3:18 nugas qui a lege recesserant congregabo quia ex te erant ut non ultra habeas super eis obprobrium

I will gather together the frivolous ones who had pulled away from the law, for they were from you, so you may have no further reproach against you.

3:19 ecce ego interficiam omnes qui adflixerunt te in tempore illo et salvabo claudicantem et eam quae eiecta fuerat congregabo et ponam eos in laudem et in nomen in omni terra confusionis eorum

Look, I will kill all who have afflicted you at that time. And I will make the lame ones secure, and I will gather her who was thrown away. And I will appoint them in praise and in name, in all the lands of their confusion,

3:20 in tempore illo quo adducam vos et in tempore quo congregabo vos dabo enim vos in nomen et in laudem omnibus populis terrae cum convertero captivitatem vestram coram oculis vestris dicit Dominus

in that time where I will lead you, and in that time where I will gather you. For I will give you in name and in praise to all the land’s peoples, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, the Lord says.

©2009, John G. Cunyus

All Rights to the English Translation Reserved

www.JohnCunyus.com

Latin text from "The Latin Vulgate." Biblia Sacra Iuxta Vulgatam Versionem, Fourth Revised Edition, edited by Roger Gryson, © 1994 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. Used by permission.