Zephaniah 3:14-20

New International Reader's Version

¹⁴ People of Zion, sing!
    Israel, shout loudly!
People of Jerusalem, be glad!
    Let your hearts be full of joy.
¹⁵ The Lord has stopped punishing you.
    He has made your enemies turn away from you.
The Lord is the King of Israel.
    He is with you.
You will never again be afraid
    that others will harm you.
¹⁶ The time is coming when people will say to Jerusalem,
    “Zion, don’t be afraid.
    Don’t give up.
¹⁷ The Lord your God is with you.
    He is the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you.
    In his love he will no longer punish you.
    Instead, he will sing for joy because of you.”

“You used to celebrate my appointed feasts in Jerusalem.
    You are sad because you can’t do that anymore.
    Other people make fun of you because of that.
That sadness was a heavy load for you to carry.
    But I will remove that load from you.
¹⁹ At that time I will punish
    all those who crushed you.
I will save those among you who are disabled.
    I will gather those who have been taken away.
I will give them praise and honor
    in every land where they have been put to shame.
²⁰ At that time I will gather you together.
    And I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
    among all the nations on earth.
I will bless you with great success again,”
    says the Lord.