Zephaniah 3:8

Therefore you must wait patiently ¹  for me,” says the Lord, “for the day when I attack and take plunder. ²  I have decided ³  to gather nations together and assemble kingdoms, so I can pour out my fury on them – all my raging anger. For ⁴  the whole earth will be consumed by my fiery anger.

De 32:21,22; Ps 12:5; Ps 27:14; Ps 37:7,34; Ps 62:1,5; Ps 78:65,66; Ps 123:2; Ps 130:5,6; Pr 20:22; So 8:6; Isa 30:18; Isa 42:13,14; Isa 59:16-18; La 3:25,26; Eze 36:5,6; Eze 38:14-23; Eze 38:19; Ho 12:6; Joe 3:2,9-16; Mic 4:11-13; Mic 7:7; Zep 1:18; Zec 14:2,3; Mt 25:32; Jas 5:7,8; 2Pe 3:10; Re 16:14; Re 19:17-19

¹ 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.

² 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).

³ tn Heb “for my decision is.”

⁴ tn Or “certainly.”