Zephaniah 1: the day of the Lord

 Zephaniah lived in days of the reign of Josiah. He proclaims Judgement Day, the day of the Lord:

7-9 Quiet now!
    Reverent silence before me, God, the Master!
Time’s up. My Judgment Day is near:
    The Holy Day is all set, the invited guests made holy.
On the Holy Day, God’s Judgment Day,
    I will punish the leaders and the royal sons;
I will punish those who dress up like foreign priests and priestesses,
    Who introduce pagan prayers and practices;
And I’ll punish all who import pagan superstitions
    that turn holy places into hellholes.
Judgment Day!” God’s Decree!

The Lord will destroy not only Israel but the whole earth will be affected:


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.

The Lord wants repentance.