当亚们的儿子犹大王约西亚在位的时候，耶和华的话临到希西家的玄孙，亚玛利雅的曾孙，基大利的孙子，古示的儿子西番雅。
耶和华审判的日子
The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
2耶和华说： “我必从地面上彻底除灭万物。I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
3我必除灭人与牲畜， 除灭空中的鸟、海里的鱼、 绊脚石和恶人； 我必把人从地面上剪除， 这是耶和华说的。I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
4我必伸手攻击犹大 和耶路撒冷所有的居民； 从这地方剪除剩下的巴力、 事奉偶像之祭司的名字与祭司；I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
5还有那些在屋顶拜天上万象的， 那些敬拜耶和华指着他起誓， 却又指着米勒公☛“米勒公”是根据七十士译本和其他古译本，亚扪人神明的名字，又名“摩洛”；原文是“他们的王”，音译“玛勒堪”。起誓的；And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
6并那些转去不跟从耶和华， 不寻求耶和华，也不求问他的。”And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.
7在主耶和华面前要静默无声， 因为耶和华的日子快到了。 耶和华已经预备祭物， 将召来的人分别为圣。Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
8“到了献祭给耶和华的日子， 我要惩罚领袖和王子， 及所有穿外邦衣服的人。And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
9到那日，我必惩罚所有跳过门槛， 以残暴和诡诈塞满主人房屋的人。In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
10“当那日，从鱼门必发出悲哀的声音， 从第二城区发出哀号的声音， 从山间发出破裂的大响声。 这是耶和华说的。And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
11玛革提施的居民哪，你们要哀号， 因为所有的商人☛“商人”或译“迦南人”。都灭亡了， 满载银子的人都被剪除。Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
12那时，我必用灯巡查耶路撒冷， 惩罚那些沉湎在酒渣上的人； 他们心里说： ‘耶和华必不降福，也不降祸。’And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
13他们的财宝成为掠物， 房屋变为废墟。 他们建造房屋，却不得住在其内； 栽葡萄园，却不得喝其中所出的酒。”Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
14耶和华的大日临近， 临近而且甚快； 那是耶和华日子的风声， 勇士必在那里痛痛地哭号。The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
15那日是愤怒的日子， 急难困苦的日子， 荒废凄凉的日子， 黑暗幽冥的日子， 乌云密布的日子，That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16是吹角呐喊的日子， 要攻击坚固的城， 攻击高大的城楼。A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
17我必使灾祸临到人身上， 使他们行走如同盲人， 因为他们得罪了耶和华； 他们的血必倒出如灰尘， 肉身抛弃如粪土。And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
18当耶和华发怒的日子， 他们的金银不能救自己； 耶和华妒忌的火必烧灭全地， 要向地上所有的居民施行可怕的毁灭。Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
呼吁百姓悔改
不知羞耻的国民哪， 趁命令尚未发出， 日子流逝如糠秕， 耶和华的烈怒尚未临到你们， 他发怒的日子未到以先， 你们应当聚集，聚集起来。Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
2世上遵守耶和华典章的谦卑人哪， 你们都当寻求耶和华， 寻求公义，寻求谦卑； 或许在耶和华发怒的日子得以隐藏。以色列邻国的结局
Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you.
3迦萨必遭遗弃☛“遗弃”与“迦萨”的希伯来话发音相近。， 亚实基伦必然荒凉； 亚实突人必在正午被赶出， 以革伦也要连根拔除☛“连根拔除”与“以革伦”的希伯来话发音相近。。Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.
4祸哉，住沿海之地的基利提人！ 迦南、非利士人之地啊，耶和华的话攻击你们： 我必毁灭你，以致无人居住。For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
5沿海之地要变为草场， 牧人的住处☛“住处”或译“井”或“牧场”。和羊群的圈。Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
6这地必为犹大家的余民所得； 他们要在那里放牧， 晚上躺卧在亚实基伦的房屋中； 因为耶和华－他们的神必眷顾他们， 使被掳的人归回。And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
7我听见摩押毁谤，亚扪人辱骂； 他们辱骂我的百姓， 自夸自大，侵犯他们的疆土。”And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
8万军之耶和华－以色列的神说： 因此，我指着我的永生起誓： 摩押必如所多玛， 亚扪人必像蛾摩拉， 都变为刺草、盐坑、永远荒废之地。 我百姓中剩余的必掳掠他们， 我国中的幸存者必得他们的地。I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
9这事临到他们是因他们的骄傲， 他们自夸自大， 辱骂万军之耶和华的百姓。Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
10耶和华必向他们显为可畏， 因他使地上的众神衰微； 列国的海岛各在自己的地方敬拜他。This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
11你们古实☛“古实”包括苏丹的大部分和埃塞俄比亚的一部分。人， 也是被我的刀所杀的。The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
12耶和华要伸手攻击北方， 毁灭亚述， 使尼尼微荒凉， 干旱如同旷野。Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
13群畜，就是各类☛“类”：原文是“国”。的走兽必卧在其中， 鹈鹕和豪猪要宿在柱顶； 窗户有鸣叫的声音， 门槛毁坏☛“门槛毁坏”：七十士译本是“乌鸦在门槛”。， 他要毁坏香柏木板☛“他要毁坏香柏木板”：原文另译“香柏木板显露”。。And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
14这素来欢乐、安然居住的城， 心里说：“惟有我，除我以外再没有别的”， 现在竟然荒凉，成为野兽躺卧之处！ 凡经过的人都必摇着手嗤笑它。And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
耶路撒冷的罪恶和救赎
祸哉，这欺压的城！ 悖逆，污秽，Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2不听从命令， 不领受训诲， 不倚靠耶和华， 不亲近它的神。She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3其中的领袖是咆哮的狮子， 审判官是晚上☛“晚上”：七十士译本是“阿拉伯”。的野狼， 不留一点到早晨。Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4它的先知是虚浮诡诈的人， 祭司亵渎圣所，强解律法。Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
5耶和华在它中间是公义的， 断不做非义的事， 每早晨显明他的公义，无日不然； 只是不义的人不知羞耻。The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
6“我已经除灭列国， 使他们的城楼荒废。 我使他们街道荒凉， 无人经过； 他们的城镇毁坏， 没有人，没有居民。I have cut off the nations: their towers 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.
7我说：‘只要你敬畏我， 领受训诲； 其住处就不会照我原先所定的被剪除☛“其住处...被剪除”：七十士译本是“你们就不会从它眼中被剪除，我要彻底地报复它”。。’ 然而，他们从早起来就在各样事上败坏自己。I said, Surely 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.
8“你们要等候我， 直到我兴起掳掠☛“掳掠”：七十士译本和其他古译本是“作证”。的日子； 因为我已定意招聚列邦，聚集列国， 将我的恼怒，我一切的烈怒，都倾倒在它们身上。 我妒忌的火必烧灭全地。 这是耶和华说的。Therefore wait 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.
9“那时，我要改变万民， 使他们有清洁的嘴唇， 好求告耶和华的名， 同心合意事奉我。For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
10那些向我祈求的， 我所分散的子民☛“子民”：原文是“女儿”。， 必从古实河的那一边， 献供物给我。From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11“当那日，你必不再因一切得罪我的事蒙羞， 因为那时我必从你中间除掉狂喜高傲的人， 在我的圣山上你也不再狂傲。In that day shalt 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 because of my holy mountain.
12我却要在你中间留下困苦贫寒的百姓， 他们必投靠耶和华的名。I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
13以色列的余民必不行恶， 不说谎，口中没有诡诈的舌头； 他们吃喝躺卧， 无人使他们惊吓。”欢乐之歌
The remnant 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.
14锡安☛“锡安”：原文直译“锡安女子”。哪，应当歌唱！ 以色列啊，应当欢呼！ 耶路撒冷☛“耶路撒冷”：原文是“耶路撒冷女子”。啊，应当满心欢喜快乐！Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15耶和华已经免去对你的审判， 赶出你的仇敌。 以色列的王－耶和华在你中间； 你必不再惧怕灾祸。The LORD hath 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.
16当那日，必有话对耶路撒冷说： “不要惧怕！ 锡安哪，不要手软！In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17耶和华－你的神在你中间 大有能力，施行拯救。 他必因你欢欣喜乐， 他在爱中静默， 且因你而喜乐欢呼。The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
18我要聚集那些因无节期而愁烦的人， 他们曾远离你， 是你的重担和羞辱☛“是你的…羞辱”：原文是“是它的重担和羞辱”；七十士译本是“哀哉，谁使它受到羞辱”。。I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19那时，看哪，我必对付所有苦待你的人， 拯救瘸腿的，召集被赶出的； 那些在全地受羞辱的， 我必使他们得称赞，享名声。Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
20那时，我必领你们回来，召集你们； 我使你们被掳之人归回的时候， 必使你们在地上的万民中享名声，得称赞； 这是耶和华说的。”At that time will I bring you again, even 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.