1 God's Message to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. It came during the reign of Josiah son of Amon, who was king of Judah:
2
"I'm going to make a clean sweep of the earth,
a thorough housecleaning." God's Decree.
3
"Men and women and animals,
including birds and fish -
Anything and everything that causes sin - will go,
but especially people.
4
"I'll start with Judah
and everybody who lives in Jerusalem.
I'll sweep the place clean of every trace
of the sex-and-religion Baal shrines and their priests.
I'll get rid of the people who sneak up to their rooftops at night
to worship the star gods and goddesses;
Also those who continue to worship God
but cover their bases by worshiping other king-gods as well;
Not to mention those who've dumped God altogether,
no longer giving him a thought or offering a prayer.