Zephaniah 3:11
What does Zephaniah 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:11 means
A day is coming when Jerusalem will no longer carry the shame of past transgressions. God Himself will remove the proudly exultant—those who flaunted arrogance in His holy mountain. The result is a humble community free from haughtiness in the place devoted to God. Forgiveness and purification go together: shame is lifted because the source of it—prideful rebellion—is taken away. The city’s honor is restored, not by denying sin, but by God’s decisive action against the arrogant among them. This anticipates a cleansed Zion where contrition, not conceit, shapes worship and life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In that day you will have no shame on account of all the things in which you did evil against me: for then I will take away from among you those who were lifted up in pride, and you will no longer be lifted up with pride in my holy mountain.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In that day thou art not ashamed because of any of thine actions, Wherewith thou hast transgressed against Me, For then do I turn aside from thy midst The exulting ones of thine excellency, And thou dost add no more to be haughty, In My holy mountain.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In that day thou shalt not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proud boasters, and thou shalt no more be lifted up because of my holy mountain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In that day thou shalt not be ashamed for all thy doings wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that exult in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
Context
After describing far-off worshipers returning, the prophet turns to Zion’s inner renewal. Verse 11 explains that restoration entails both pardon and pruning: the removal of proud offenders. This makes space for the humble remnant of verse 12 and their new character in verse 13. The sequence is deliberate: God purges arrogance, leaves the meek, and then grants security and joy. Readers should see that God’s work is not cosmetic; He reshapes the community at its core.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 7:4
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, are these.
- Isaiah 11:9
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.
- Romans 9:33
even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.
- Isaiah 54:4
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth; and the reproach of thy widowhood shalt thou remember no more.
- Isaiah 65:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
- Matthew 3:9
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
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