Zephaniah 2:1-7

So get yourselves together. Shape up! You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants. Do it before you’re blown away like leaves in a windstorm, Before GOD’s Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, Before GOD’s Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. * * * Seek GOD, all you quietly disciplined people who live by GOD’s justice. Seek GOD’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of GOD’s anger. Gaza is scheduled for demolition, Ashdod will be cleaned out by high noon, Ekron pulled out by the roots. Doom to the seaside people, the seafaring people from Crete! The Word of GOD is bad news for you who settled Canaan, the Philistine country: “You’re slated for destruction— no survivors!” * * * The lands of the seafarers will become pastureland, A country for shepherds and sheep. What’s left of the family of Judah will get it. Day after day they’ll pasture by the sea, and go home in the evening to Ashkelon to sleep. Their very own GOD will look out for them. He’ll make things as good as before. * * *