Zephaniah 3:8

6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation— all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy.
KJV
Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
WEB
“Therefore wait for me”, says the LORD, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
ASV
Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
DARBY
Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to assemble the nations, that I may gather the kingdoms together, to pour upon them mine indignation, all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
BLB
Therefore wait for Me,” a declaration of YHWH, “Until the day of My arising to testify. For My judgment [is] to gather the nations, to assemble unto Me the kingdoms, to pour out on them My indignation, all the burning of my nose! Indeed, with the fire of My jealousy all the earth will be consumed.
ÅB
Derfor, bi på meg, sier Herren, på den dag jeg reiser meg for å ta hærfang! For min dom er at jeg samler hedningefolk, sanker riker sammen, utøser min harme over dem, all min brennende vrede; for ved min nidkjærhets ild skal hele jorden bli fortært.
OTB
Derfor vent på Meg,” erklærer Herren,
“For den dagen da Jeg står opp som vitne.
Ja, Min beslutning er å samle nasjoner,
Å samle riker,
Å utøse over dem Min harme,
All Min brennende vrede;
For hele jorden skal fortæres
Av ilden fra Min nidkjærhet.
B1930
Derfor, bi på mig, sier Herren, på den dag jeg reiser mig for å ta hærfang! For min dom er at jeg samler hedningefolk, sanker riker sammen, utøser min harme over dem, all min brennende vrede; for ved min nidkjærhets ild skal hele jorden bli fortært.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joel 3:2

    I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 1:18

    Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 27:14

    Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Micah 7:7

    Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 14:2–3

    For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 25:32

    And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

    Read in context
  • Joel 3:9–16

    Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

    Read in context