Chapter 2

1 I will climb up to my watchtower

and stand at my guardpost.

There I will wait to see what the Lord says

and how he* will answer my complaint.

The Lord’s Second Reply

2 Then the Lord said to me,

“Write my answer plainly on tablets,

so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

3 This vision is for a future time.

It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,

for it will surely take place.

It will not be delayed.

4 “Look at the proud!

They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.

But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.*

5 Wealth* is treacherous,

and the arrogant are never at rest.

They open their mouths as wide as the grave,*

and like death, they are never satisfied.

In their greed they have gathered up many nations

and swallowed many peoples.

6 “But soon their captives will taunt them.

They will mock them, saying,

‘What sorrow awaits you thieves!

Now you will get what you deserve!

You’ve become rich by extortion,

but how much longer can this go on?’

7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action.

They will turn on you and take all you have,

while you stand trembling and helpless.

8 Because you have plundered many nations;

now all the survivors will plunder you.

You committed murder throughout the countryside

and filled the towns with violence.

9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses

with money gained dishonestly!

You believe your wealth will buy security,

putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.

10 But by the murders you committed,

you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.

11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you,

and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.

12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities

with money gained through murder and corruption!

13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised

that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?

They work so hard,

but all in vain!

14 For as the waters fill the sea,

the earth will be filled with an awareness

of the glory of the Lord.

15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk!

You force your cup on them

so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.

16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced.

Come, drink and be exposed!*

Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment,

and all your glory will be turned to shame.

17 You cut down the forests of Lebanon.

Now you will be cut down.

You destroyed the wild animals,

so now their terror will be yours.

You committed murder throughout the countryside

and filled the towns with violence.

18 “What good is an idol carved by man,

or a cast image that deceives you?

How foolish to trust in your own creation—

a god that can’t even talk!

19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,

‘Wake up and save us!’

To speechless stone images you say,

‘Rise up and teach us!’

Can an idol tell you what to do?

They may be overlaid with gold and silver,

but they are lifeless inside.

20 But the Lord is in his holy Temple.

Let all the earth be silent before him.”

Chapter 3

Habakkuk’s Prayer

This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk* :

2 I have heard all about you, Lord.

I am filled with awe by your amazing works.

In this time of our deep need,

help us again as you did in years gone by.

And in your anger,

remember your mercy.

3 I see God moving across the deserts from Edom,*

the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.*

His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,

and the earth is filled with his praise.

4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.

Rays of light flash from his hands,

where his awesome power is hidden.

5 Pestilence marches before him;

plague follows close behind.

6 When he stops, the earth shakes.

When he looks, the nations tremble.

He shatters the everlasting mountains

and levels the eternal hills.

He is the Eternal One!*

7 I see the people of Cushan in distress,

and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.

8 Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers

and parted the sea?

Were you displeased with them?

No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!

9 You brandished your bow

and your quiver of arrows.

You split open the earth with flowing rivers.

10 The mountains watched and trembled.

Onward swept the raging waters.

The mighty deep cried out,

lifting its hands in submission.

11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky

as your brilliant arrows flew

and your glittering spear flashed.

12 You marched across the land in anger

and trampled the nations in your fury.

13 You went out to rescue your chosen people,

to save your anointed ones.

You crushed the heads of the wicked

and stripped their bones from head to toe.

14 With his own weapons,

you destroyed the chief of those

who rushed out like a whirlwind,

thinking Israel would be easy prey.

15 You trampled the sea with your horses,

and the mighty waters piled high.

16 I trembled inside when I heard this;

my lips quivered with fear.

My legs gave way beneath me,*

and I shook in terror.

I will wait quietly for the coming day

when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,*

able to tread upon the heights.

(For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

Zephaniah