A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah3:1-2, 9-13
Thus says the Lord:/ Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,/ to the tyrannical city!/ She hears no voice,/ accepts no correction;/ In the Lord she has not trusted,/ to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify/ the lips of the peoples,/ That they all may call upon the name of the Lord,/ to serve him with one accord;/ From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia/ and as far as the recesses of the North,/ they shall bring me offerings.
On that day/ You need not be ashamed/ of all your deeds,/ your rebellious actions against me;/ For then will I remove from your midst/ the proud braggarts,/ And you shall no longer exalt yourself/ on my holy mountain./ But I will leave as a remnant in your midst/ a people humble and lowly,/ Who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord:/ the remnant of Israel./ They shall do no wrong/ and speak no lies;/ Nor shall there be found in their mouths/ a deceitful tongue;/ They shall pasture and couch their flocks/ with none to disturb them.
The word of the Lord.
