Zephaniah 2:4-7

God will destroy the Philistines

2:4The Philistines were a nation of people who were powerful enemies of Israel. They lived beside the sea on the west side of Israel.

4 No people will remain in Gaza.

Ashkelon will become a heap of stones.

Enemies will chase out the people of Ashdod in one morning.

They will also destroy Ekron.

5 Terrible trouble will come to you people who came from Crete,

you people who live beside the sea!

The Lord has spoken against you,

Philistines who live in the land of Canaan!

2:5Canaan is the land that God promised to give to Abraham and to his descendants. See Genesis 12:7.

He says, ‘I will destroy everyone who lives there!’

6 Your land beside the sea will become fields

where shepherds feed their sheep.

They will have safe places there

for their sheep and goats.

7 The land will belong to the people of Judah's tribe who are still alive.

They will live safely there.

They will use the houses in Ashkelon

as places to rest in the evening.

The Lord, their God, will take care of them.

He will give them success again.