Zephaniah 3

Paraphrased by Emily Reep

^{My zeal is a fire that will purge and purify you.} 

^{In the end I will turn things around for you.} 

^{I’ll give you a language that is undistorted, unpolluted, words to address Me in worship and help you to serve Me with your united, whole heart, mind, and will.} 

^{All that is scattered within you and far away from Me will come home with offerings of worship.} 

^{You’ll no longer have to be ashamed of all those acts of rebellion.} 

^{I’ll get rid of your pride, your arrogance.} 

^{I’ll purify your heart within you- the heart that I am working in.} 

^{You will be content with who you are and where you are, unanimous, living at peace. So sing- be happy and celebrate!} 

^{God has forgiven and cleansed you.} 

^{From now on, God is your King, in charge at your center.} 

^{There’s nothing to fear.} 

^{Don’t despair.} 

^{Your God is present within you, a strong Warrior there to save you.} 

^{Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs. The accumulated sorrows of your chains will dissipate.} 

^{I, your God, will get rid of them for you.} 

^{You’ve carried these burdens long enough.} 

^{I’ll get rid of all that makes your life miserable.} 

^{I will heal you, bring you back, give you a home- a place to belong.} 

^{All of your painful partings turned into reunions.”} 

^{This is God’s Promise.}