Judgment on the Philistines (Zephaniah 2:4–7)
1 DRA The word of the Lord that came to Jeremias the prophet against the people of Palestine, before Pharao took Gaza. BSB BSB: This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
2 DRA Thus saith the Lord: Behold there come up waters out of the north, and they shall be as an overflowing torrent, and they shall cover the land, and all that is therein, the city and the inhabitants thereof: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl, BSB BSB: This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail
3 DRA At the noise of the marching of arms, and of his soldiers, at the rushing of his chariots, and the multitude of his wheels. The fathers have not looked back to the children, for feebleness of hands, BSB BSB: at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.
5 DRA Baldness is come upon Gaza: Ascalon hath held her peace with the remnant of their valley: how long shalt thou cut thyself? BSB BSB: The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?
6 DRA O thou sword of the Lord, how long wilt thou not be quiet? Go into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. BSB BSB: ‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’
7 DRA How shall it be quiet, when the Lord hath given it a charge against Ascalon, and against the countries thereof by the sea side, and there hath made an appointment for it? BSB BSB: How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”