31 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled , The tyrannical city ! 2 She heeded no voice , She accepted no instruction . She did not trust in the Lord , She did not draw near to her God . 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions , Her judges are wolves at evening ; They leave nothing for the morning . 4 Her prophets are reckless , treacherous men ; Her priests have profaned the sanctuary . They have done violence to the law . 5 The Lord is righteous within her; He will do no injustice . Every morning He brings His justice to light ; He does not fail . But the unjust knows no shame . 6 "I have cut off nations ; Their corner towers are in ruins . I have made their streets desolate , With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste , Without e a man , without e an inhabitant . 7 "I said , 'Surely you will revere Me, Accept instruction .' So her dwelling will not be cut off According to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:1-7
Commentary on Zephaniah 3:1-7
(Read Zephaniah 3:1-7)
The holy God hates sin most in those nearest to him. A sinful state is, and will be, a woful state. Yet they had the tokens of God's presence, and all the advantages of knowing his will, with the strongest reasons to do it; still they persisted in disobedience. Alas, that men often are more active in doing wickedness than believers are in doing good.