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Giovedi, 28 marzo 2024 - San Castore di Tarso ( Letture di oggi)

Zephaniah 3


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1Disaster to the rebel ious, the befouled, the tyrannical city!2She has not listened to the cal , she has not bowed to correction, she has not trusted in Yahweh, shehas not drawn near to her God.3The rulers she has are roaring lions, her judges are wolves of the wastelands which leave nothing overfor the morning,4her prophets are braggarts, impostors, her priests have profaned what is holy and violated the Law.5Yahweh the Upright is in her, he does no wrong; morning by morning he gives judgement, each dawnunfailingly (but the wrong-doer knows no shame).6I have exterminated the nations, their corner-towers lie in ruins; I have emptied their streets, no onewalks through them; their cities have been destroyed and are now deserted and unpeopled.7I thought, 'At least you wil fear me, at least you wil bow to correction,' and none of the punishments Ibrought on them will disappear from their view. But no, it only made them more anxious to do whatever wascorrupt.8So wait for me -- declares Yahweh -- for the day when I rise as accuser, for I am determined to gatherthe nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and on you to vent my fury, the whole heat of my anger (for the wholeearth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy).9Yes, then I shall purge the lips of the peoples, so that all may invoke the name of Yahweh and servehim shoulder to shoulder.10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants will bring me tribute.11When that Day comes you wil never again be ashamed of al the deeds with which you once rebelledagainst me, for I shal rid you of those who exult in your pride; never again wil you strut on my holy mountain.12But in you I shal leave surviving a humble and lowly people,13and those who are left in Israel wil take refuge in the name of Yahweh. They will do no wrong, wil tellno lies; nor wil a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one toalarm them.14Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with al your heart, daughter ofJerusalem!15Yahweh has repealed your sentence; he has turned your enemy away. Yahweh is king among you,Israel, you have nothing more to fear.16When that Day comes, the message for Jerusalem wil be: Zion, have no fear, do not let your handsfal limp.17Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Saviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, hewil renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you,18as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it.19I am taking action here and now against your oppressors. When that time comes I wil rescue thelame, and gather the strays, and I wil win them praise and renown when I restore their fortunes.20At that time I shal be your guide, at the time when I gather you in, I shall give you praise and renownamong all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes, declares Yahweh.