1. God’s Message to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. It came during the reign of Josiah son of Amon, who was king of Judah:
2. “I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth,a thorough housecleaning.” God’s Decree.
3. “Men and women and animals,including birds and fish—Anything and everything that causes sin—will go,but especially people.
4-6. “I’ll start with Judahand everybody who lives in Jerusalem.I’ll sweep the place clean of every traceof the sex-and-religion Baal shrines and their priests.I’ll get rid of the people who sneak up to their rooftops at nightto worship the star gods and goddesses;Also those who continue to worship Godbut cover their bases by worshiping other king-gods as well;Not to mention those who’ve dumped God altogether,no longer giving him a thought or offering a prayer.
14-18. “The Great Judgment Day of God is almost here.It’s countdown time: . . . seven, six, five, four . . .Bitter and noisy cries on my Judgment Day,even strong men screaming for help.Judgment Day is payday—my anger paid out:a day of distress and anguish,a day of catastrophic doom,a day of darkness at noon,a day of black storm clouds,a day of bloodcurdling war cries,as forts are assaulted,as defenses are smashed.I’ll make things so bad they won’t know what hit them.They’ll walk around groping like the blind.They’ve sinned against God!Their blood will be poured out like old dishwater,their guts shoveled into slop buckets.Don’t plan on buying your way out.Your money is worthless for this.This is the Day of God’s Judgment—my wrath!I care about sin with fiery passion—A fire to burn up the corrupted world,a wildfire finish to the corrupting people.”