Zephaniah

New Living Translation

Zephaniah has 3 chapters. Read Zephaniah in the New Living Translation, chapter by chapter, free and without an account.

Zephaniah warns Judah, Jerusalem, and surrounding nations about the day of the Lord. It confronts false worship, complacency, pride, and abusive leadership, calling people to seek righteousness and humility. Its final movement promises a humble, truthful remnant, renewed worship among the peoples, and a restored Jerusalem rejoicing in God’s presence.

Read the Zephaniah summary and outline →

In Christian Bibles, Zephaniah is one of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. In the Jewish Tanakh it belongs to the Nevi’im, the Prophets, as part of the Twelve. See it on the shelf.

Zephaniah warns a gathered crowd from a Jerusalem terrace as oil lamps search dark markets and abandoned rooftop idols stand beneath an approaching storm
Zephaniah 1

Zephaniah 1: the approaching day of the Lord searches complacent Jerusalem and judges idolatry, violence, and corrupt commerce.

A humble community gathers around Zephaniah on a green rise between ruined coasts, salt wastes, arid lands, and abandoned Assyrian towers
Zephaniah 2

Zephaniah 2: the humble seek refuge as judgment reaches Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and proud Nineveh.

Families, children, elders, and shepherds celebrate before restored Jerusalem while people from many nations approach open gates beneath radiant dawn
Zephaniah 3

Zephaniah 3: purified peoples worship together as a humble remnant rests safely and restored Zion rejoices in renewing love.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Text unchanged, provided through API.Bible.