the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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New Living Translation
Zephaniah 2:15
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Nineveh is so proud now. It is such a happy city. The people think they are safe. They think Nineveh is the greatest place in the world, but it will be destroyed! It will be an empty place where only wild animals go to rest. People who pass by will whistle and shake their heads when they see how badly the city was destroyed.
This is the presumptuous city That dwells securely, Who says in her heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." How she has become a desolation, A resting place for animals! Everyone who passes by her will hiss And wave his hand in contempt.
This is the happy and safe city that thinks there is no one else as strong as it is. But what a ruin it will be, a place where wild animals live. All those who pass by will make fun and shake their fists.
This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me: how has she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passes by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt in security, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none besides me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.
This is the joyous city Which dwells carelessly [feeling so secure], Who says in her heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." What a desolation she has become, A lair for [wild] animals! Everyone who passes by her will hiss [in scorn] And wave his hand in contempt.
This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is no one else." What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is none besides me." How she has become a desolation, a place for animals to lie down in! Everyone who passes by her will hiss, and shake their fists.
This is the gloriouse citee dwellynge in trist, which seide in hir herte, Y am, and ther is noon other more withouten me. Hou is it maad vnto desert, a couche of beeste; ech man that schal passe bi it, schal hisse, and schal moue his hond.
This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none else beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: 'I am it, and there is none besides me,' what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
This is the glorious city that felt secure and said, "I am the only one!" Now it's merely ruins, a home for wild animals. Every passerby simply sneers and makes vulgar signs.
This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This is the town which was full of joy, living without fear of danger, saying in her heart, I am, and there is no other: how has she been made waste, a place for beasts to take their rest in! everyone who goes by her will make hisses, waving his hand.
This is the city, once so joyful, whose people felt themselves secure, who used to say to herself, "I am [the greatest]! I have no rival." What a ruin she has become — a place for wild animals to lie down! Everyone passing by her hisses and shakes his fist!
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt in security, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none else beside me: how is she become a desolation, a couching-place for beasts! Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, shall wave his hand.
This is the joyous city that dwelt without care, that said in her heart: 'I am, and there is none else beside me'; how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This is the reioycing citie that dwelt carelessely, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is shee become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie downe in! euery one that passeth by her, shall hisse and wagge his hand.
This is the city that is full of joy and takes it easy and thinks it is safe. It says to itself, "I am, and there is no one else." How it has become a waste, a resting place for animals! All who pass by will make fun of her and laugh at her shaking their hands.
Is this the exultant city that lived secure, that said to itself, "I am, and there is no one else"? What a desolation it has become, a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by it hisses and shakes the fist.
This is the reioycing citie that dwelt carelesse, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me: how is she made waste, and the lodging of the beastes! euery one that passeth by her, shall hisse and wagge his hand.
This is the mighty city that dwelt in security, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none like me; how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Everyone that passes by her shall be amazed and hiss, and shake his hand, saying,
This, is the city exultant, that sat secure, that said in her heart, I, am ! and no one besides! How hath she become a desolation! a lair of beasts, every one passing, by her doth hiss, shaketh his hand.
This is the glorious city that dwelt in security: that said in her heart: I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desert, a place for beasts to lie down in? every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This is the exultant city that dwelt secure, that said to herself, "I am and there is none else." What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Every one who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
This is the proude and carelesse citie that sayd in her heart, I am, and there is els none besides me: O howe is she made so wast that the beastes lie in her? Who so goeth by, mocketh her, & poynteth at her with his finger.
That is what will happen to the city that is so proud of its own power and thinks it is safe. Its people think that their city is the greatest in the world. What a desolate place it will become, a place where wild animals will rest! Everyone who passes by will shrink back in horror.
This is the jubilant citythat lives in security,that thinks to herself:I exist, and there is no one else.What a desolation she has become,a place for wild animals to lie down!Everyone who passes by herscoffs and shakes his fist.
This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is none besides me." How she has become a desolation, a place for animals to lie down in! Everyone who passes by her will hiss, and shake their fists.
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
This is the city of rejoicing that lived securely; the one saying in her heart, "I am, and there is none besides me." How she has become a desolation, a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
This is the joyful city, dwelling confidently, who says in her heart, I am , and there is yet no other . How she has become a ruin, a restingplace for animals! Everyone who passesnear her shall hiss; he shall shake hishand!
This [is] the exulting city that is dwelling confidently, That is saying in her heart, `I [am], and beside me there is none,' How hath she been for a desolation, A crouching-place for beasts, Every one passing by her doth hiss, He doth shake his hand!
This is the proude and carelesse cite, that sayde in hir herte: I am, and there is els none. O how is she made so waist, yt the beestes lye therin? Who so goeth by, mocketh her, and poynteth at her with his fynger.
This is how the once-proud city will end up— the city that was so secure. She thought to herself, "I am unique! No one can compare to me!" What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her and shakes his fist.
This is the rejoicing city That dwelt securely, That said in her heart, "I am it, and there is none besides me." How has she become a desolation, A place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her Shall hiss and shake his fist.
This is the exultant city Which dwells securely, Who says in her heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." How she has become a desolation, A resting place for beasts! Everyone who passes by her will hiss And wave his hand in contempt.
This is the exultant cityWhich inhabits securely,Who says in her heart,"I am, and there is no one besides me."How she has become an object of horror,A resting place for beasts!Everyone who passes by her will hissAnd wave his hand in contempt.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
the rejoicing: Isaiah 10:12-14, Isaiah 22:2, Isaiah 47:7, Revelation 18:7-10
I am: Isaiah 47:8, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:9, Ezekiel 29:3
how is: Isaiah 14:4, Isaiah 14:5, Lamentations 1:1, Lamentations 2:1, Revelation 18:10-19
every: 1 Kings 9:7, 1 Kings 9:8, Job 27:23, Psalms 52:6, Psalms 52:7, Lamentations 2:15, Ezekiel 27:36, Nahum 3:19, Matthew 27:39
Reciprocal: Isaiah 14:13 - thou Jeremiah 9:26 - Egypt Jeremiah 19:8 - General Jeremiah 49:17 - shall hiss Jeremiah 49:31 - that Jeremiah 50:13 - every Jeremiah 51:37 - an hissing Ezekiel 25:5 - a stable Ezekiel 25:6 - thou hast Ezekiel 26:17 - How art Ezekiel 30:9 - careless Obadiah 1:5 - how Nahum 3:6 - will set Zephaniah 2:6 - the sea Acts 28:4 - beast
Cross-References
On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.
"Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart?
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly,.... Once exceeding populous, and the inhabitants full of mirth and gaiety, abounding with wealth and riches, and indulging themselves in all carnal delights and pleasures; and, being well fortified, thought themselves out of all danger, and were careless and unconcerned, not fearing any enemy that should attack them; imagining their city was impregnable and invincible: these are the words of the prophet, concluding his prophecy concerning the destruction of this city, and having, by a spirit of prophecy, a foresight of its ruin and desolation; or of passengers, and what they should say when they saw it lie in its ruins:
that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none besides me; or, "is there any besides me?" t there is none, no city in the world to be compared to it for the largeness of the place, the strength of its walls, the number of its inhabitants, its wealth and riches: at least so she thought within herself, and was elated with these things; and concluded it would never be otherwise with her; "I am", and shall always continue so:
how is she become a desolation! what a desolate place is this! its walls broken down, its houses demolished, its wealth and riches plundered, its inhabitants destroyed; and now the hold and habitation of beasts of prey, and hateful birds:
a place for beasts to lie down in! and not for men to dwell in: this is said, either as wondering, or as rejoicing at it, as follows:
everyone that passeth by her; and sees her in this ruinous condition:
shall hiss, [and] wag his hand; in scorn and derision, as pleased with the sight, and having no pity and compassion for her, remembering her cruelty to and oppression of others, when in her prosperity; see Nahum 3:19.
t אני ואפסי עזר "et praeter me adhuc quiequam est?" Cocceius.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
This utter desolation is “the rejoicing city” (so unlike is it, that there is need to point out that it is the same); this is she, who was full of joy, exulting exceedingly, but in herself, not in God; “that dwelt carelessly,” literally, “securely,” and so carelessly; saying “Peace and safety” 1 Thessalonians 5:3, as though no evil would come upon her, and so perishing more certainly and miserably (see Judges 18:27) “That said in her heart,” this was her inmost feeling, the moving cause of all her deeds; “I am and there is none beside me;” literally , “and there is no I beside,” claiming the very attribute of God (as the world does) of self-existence, as if it alone were “I,” and others, in respect of her, were as nothing. Pantheism, which denies the being of God, as Author of the world, and claims the life in the material world to be God, and each living being to be a part of God, is only this self-idolatry, reflected upon and carried out in words. All the pride of the world, all self-indulgence which says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die,” all covetousness which ends in this world, speaks this by its acts, “I and no I beside.”
How is she become a desolation - Has passed wholly into it, exists only as a desolation, “a place for beasts to lie down in,” a mere den for “the wild beasts. Every one that passeth by her shall hiss” in derision, “and wag” (or wave) “his hand” in detestation, as though putting the hand between them and it, so as not to look at it, or, as it were, motioning it away. The action is different from that of “clapping the hands in exultation” Nahum 3:19.
“It is not difficult,” Jerome says, “to explain this of the world, that when the Lord hath stretched forth His Hand over the north and destroyed the Assyrian, the Prince of this world, the world also perishes together with its Princes, and is brought to utter desolation, and is pitied by none, but all hiss and shake their hands at its ruin. But of the Church it seems, at first sight, blasphemous to say that it shall be a pathless desert, and wild beasts shall dwell in her, and that afterward it shall be said insultingly over her; ‘This is the city given up to ill, which “dwelt carelessly and said in her heart, I and none beside.”’ But whoso should consider that of the Apostle, wherein he says, “in the last days perilous times shall come” 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and what is written in the Gospel, that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” Matthew 24:12, so that then shall that be fulfilled, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find the faith on the earth?” he will not marvel at the extreme desolation of the Church, that, in the reign of antichrist, it shall be reduced to a desolation and given over to beasts, and shall suffer whatever the prophet now describes.
For if for unbelief “God spared not the natural branches,” but “brake them off,” and “turned rivers into a wilderness and the water-springs into a dry ground,” and “a fruitful land into barrenness, for the iniquity of them that dwell therein,” why not as to those of whom He had said, “He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into water-springs, and there He maketh the hungry to dwell” Psalms 107:33-36; and as to those whom “out of the wild olive He hath grafted into the good olive tree,” why, if forgetful of this benefit, they depart from their Maker and worship the Assyrian, should He not undo them and bring them to the same thirst wherein they were before? Which, whereas it may be understood generally of the coming of antichrist or of the end of the world, yet it may, day by day, be understood of those who feign to be of the Church of God, and “in works deny it, are hearers of the word not doers,” who in vain boast in an outward show, whereas herds that is, troops of vices dwell in them, and brute animals serving the body, and all the beasts of the field which devour their hearts (and pelicans, that is, gluttons , whose ‘god is their belly’) and hedgehogs, a prickly animal full of spikes which pricketh whatever it toucheth.
After which it is subjoined, that the Church shall therefore suffer this, or hath suffered it, because it lifted itself up proudly and raised its head like a cedar, given up to evil works, and yet promising itself future blessedness, and despising others in its heart, nor thinking that there is any other beside itself, and saying, “I am, and there is no other beside me,” how is it become a solitude, a lair of beasts! For where before, dwelt the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and Angels presided over its ministries, there shall beasts dwell. And if we understand that, every one that passeth by shall hiss, we shall explain it thus; when Angels shall pass through her, and not remain in her, as was their wont, they shall be amazed and marvel, and shall not support and bear her up with their hand, when falling, but shall lift up the hands and shall pass by. Or they shall make a sound as those who mourn. But if we understand this of the devil and his angels, who destroyed the vine also that was brought out of Egypt, we shall say, that through the soul, which before was the temple of God and hath ceased so to be, the serpent passeth, and hisseth and spitteth forth the venom of his malice in her, and not this only, but setteth in motion his works which figuratively are called hands.”
Rup.: “The earlier and partial fulfillment of prophecy does not destroy, it rather confirms, the entire fulfillment to come. For whoso heareth of the destruction of mighty cities, is constrained to believe the truth of the Gospel, that the fashion of this world passeth away, and that, after the likeness of Nineveh and Babylon, the Lord will in the end judge the whole world also.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Zephaniah 2:15. This is the rejoicing city — The city in which mirth, jocularity, and pleasure, reigned without interruption.
And wag his hand — Will point her out as a mark and monument of Divine displeasure.
