Zefanya 1:12

1:12 At that time I will search through Jerusalem with lamps.

I will punish the people who are entrenched in their sin, ¹ 

those who think to themselves, ² 

‘The Lord neither rewards nor punishes.’ ³ 

Zefanya 3:20

3:20 At that time I will lead you –

at the time I gather you together. ⁴ 

Be sure of this! ⁵  I will make all the nations of the earth respect and admire you ⁶ 

when you see me restore you,” ⁷  says the Lord.

[1:12]  ¹ tn Heb “who thicken on their sediment.” The imagery comes from wine making, where the wine, if allowed to remain on the sediment too long, will thicken into syrup. The image suggests that the people described here were complacent in their sinful behavior and interpreted the delay in judgment as divine apathy.

[1:12]  ² tn Heb “who say in their hearts.”

[1:12]  ³ tn Heb “The Lord does not do good nor does he do evil.”

[3:20]  ⁴ tn In this line the second person pronoun is masculine plural, indicating that the exiles are addressed.

[3:20]  ⁵ tn Or “for.”

[3:20]  ⁶ tn Heb “I will make you into a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” Here the word “name” carries the nuance of “good reputation.”

[3:20]  ⁷ tn Heb “when I restore your fortunes to your eyes.” See the note on the phrase “restore them” in 2:7.