17. The Lord your God is with you,the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you,but will rejoice over you with singing.’
18. ‘I will remove from youall who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,which is a burden and reproach for you.
19. At that time I will dealwith all who oppressed you.I will rescue the lame;I will gather the exiles.I will give them praise and honourin every land where they have suffered shame.
20. At that time I will gather you;at that time I will bring you home.I will give you honour and praiseamong all the peoples of the earthwhen I restore your fortunesbefore your very eyes,’says the Lord.Footnotes for the Book of Zephaniaha 7 Or will bring back their captivesb 12 That is, people from the upper Nile region