Zephaniah 2 (KJV)

15 verses · King James Version · Formal equivalence (word-for-word)

The King James Version is the most influential English Bible translation in history. Commissioned by King James I and completed in 1611, it shaped the English language itself. Its majestic prose and formal accuracy make it beloved for memorization and liturgical use.

Zephaniah Chapter 2 contains 15 verses and is presented here in the King James Version (KJV), which uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 3 chapters in Zephaniah.

NIVESVNLTMSGNASB
Chapter 1Chapter 3

1Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; <sup>not: or, not desirous</sup>

2Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

3Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

4For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

5Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

6And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity . <sup>for the LORD: or, when, etc</sup>

8I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.

9Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits , and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

10This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.

11The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. <sup>famish: Heb. make lean</sup>

12Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.

13And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

14And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. <sup>cormorant: or, pelican</sup> <sup>upper: or, knops, or, chapiters</sup> <sup>for: or, when he hath uncovered</sup>

15This 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.

Chapter 1Read in NIVChapter 3

About This Translation

What is Zephaniah 2 in the KJV?

Zephaniah 2 in the King James Version (KJV) contains 15 verses. The KJV uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach, first published in 1611.

How does the KJV translate Zephaniah 2 differently?

The King James Version uses formal equivalence (word-for-word), preserving the classic English of 1611. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Zephaniah 2 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Zephaniah 2 (KJV)?

Zephaniah Chapter 2 contains 15 verses in the King James Version. The book of Zephaniah has 3 chapters total.

Zephaniah (KJV) — All 3 Chapters