3:19 Look, at that time I will deal with those who mistreated you.
I will rescue the lame sheep 1
and gather together the scattered sheep.
I will take away their humiliation
and make the whole earth admire and respect them. 2
3:8 Therefore you must wait patiently 3 for me,” says the Lord,
“for the day when I attack and take plunder. 4
I have decided 5 to gather nations together
and assemble kingdoms,
so I can pour out my fury on them –
all my raging anger.
For 6 the whole earth will be consumed
by my fiery anger.
3:20 At that time I will lead you –
at the time I gather you together. 7
Be sure of this! 8 I will make all the nations of the earth respect and admire you 9
when you see me restore you,” 10 says the Lord.
1 tn The word “sheep” is supplied for clarification. As in Mic 4:6-7, the exiles are here pictured as injured and scattered sheep whom the divine shepherd rescues from danger.
2 tn Heb “I will make them into praise and a name, in all the earth, their shame.” The present translation assumes that “their shame” specifies “them” and that “name” stands here for a good reputation.
3 tn The second person verb form (“you must wait patiently”) is masculine plural, indicating that a group is being addressed. Perhaps the humble individuals addressed earlier (see 2:3) are in view. Because of Jerusalem’s sin, they must patiently wait for judgment to pass before their vindication arrives.
4 tn Heb “when I arise for plunder.” The present translation takes עַד (’ad) as “plunder.” Some, following the LXX, repoint the term עֵד (’ed) and translate, “as a witness” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV). In this case the Lord uses a legal metaphor to picture himself as testifying against his enemies. Adele Berlin takes לְעַד (lÿ’ad) in a temporal sense (“forever”) and translates “once and for all” (Zephaniah [AB 25A], 133).
5 tn Heb “for my decision is.”
6 tn Or “certainly.”
5 tn In this line the second person pronoun is masculine plural, indicating that the exiles are addressed.
6 tn Or “for.”
7 tn Heb “I will make you into a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” Here the word “name” carries the nuance of “good reputation.”
8 tn Heb “when I restore your fortunes to your eyes.” See the note on the phrase “restore them” in 2:7.