Zefanya 2:15

2:15 This is how the once-proud city will end up ¹  –

the city that was so secure. ² 

She thought to herself, ³  “I am unique! No one can compare to me!” ⁴ 

What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live!

Everyone who passes by her taunts her ⁵  and shakes his fist. ⁶ 

Zefanya 2:3

2:3 Seek the Lord’s favor, ⁷  all you humble people ⁸  of the land who have obeyed his commands! ⁹ 

Strive to do what is right! ¹⁰  Strive to be humble! ¹¹ 

Maybe you will be protected ¹²  on the day of the Lord’s angry judgment.

Zefanya 3:20

3:20 At that time I will lead you –

at the time I gather you together. ¹³ 

Be sure of this! ¹⁴  I will make all the nations of the earth respect and admire you ¹⁵ 

when you see me restore you,” ¹⁶  says the Lord.

[2:15]  ¹ tn Heb “this is the proud city.”

[2:15]  ² tn Heb “the one that lived securely.”

[2:15]  ³ tn Heb “the one who says in her heart.”

[2:15]  ⁴ tn Heb “I [am], and besides me there is no other.”

[2:15]  ⁵ tn Heb “hisses”; or “whistles.”

[2:15]  ⁶ sn Hissing (or whistling) and shaking the fist were apparently ways of taunting a defeated foe or an object of derision in the culture of the time.

[2:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “seek the Lord,” but “favor” seems to be implied from the final line of the verse.

[2:3]  ⁸ tn Or “poor.” The precise referent of this Hebrew term is unclear. The word may refer to the economically poor or to the spiritually humble.

[2:3]  ⁹ tn The present translation assumes the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) here refers to God’s covenantal requirements and is a synonym for the Law. The word can mean “justice” and could refer more specifically to the principles of justice contained in the Law. In this case the phrase could be translated, “who have promoted the justice God demands.”

[2:3]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “Seek what is right.”

[2:3]  ¹¹ tn Heb “Seek humility.”

[2:3]  ¹² tn Heb “hidden.” Cf. NEB “it may be that you will find shelter”; NRSV “perhaps you may be hidden.”

[3:20]  ¹³ tn In this line the second person pronoun is masculine plural, indicating that the exiles are addressed.

[3:20]  ¹⁴ tn Or “for.”

[3:20]  ¹⁵ 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]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “when I restore your fortunes to your eyes.” See the note on the phrase “restore them” in 2:7.