chapter 1 vv.1–5
Life may be hard, but see the waste
in Edom, realise
the love and grace of God you taste
so undeserved, though he applies
a chastening rod; – but Edom scorns
repentance – on their own
determine to rebuild – God warns
his anger will be known.

vv.6–14
Half–hearted worship,
blemished gifts,
contemptuous, contemptible:
God sees and he sifts.
His name will be honoured
throughout every land,
not tricked, always knowing
all that you intend.

chapter 2 vv.1–9
The covenant with Levi as priest,
was revere
the Lord God almighty,
and teach what is clear
and true, and
walk in uprightness and peace,
and many encourage
from sin’s ways to cease.

But now many stumble, –
not taught in God’s way.

So – the priests’ blessings crumble,
God rebukes them, he’ll humble,
and, unless they return,
his word no more spurn,
and follow his way,
impartial again,
– he’ll bring to them shame,
and his curses will stay.

chapter 2 vv.10–16
There should be unity, respect,
– for all claim God as Father:
his covenant some now reject,
break faith with one another,
in marrying foreign, heathen wives
who do not follow in God’s way,
nor honour him, his Word obey.

What good are tears, if no sincere
concern about known sin?
And marriage is a covenant dear –
to keep its vow begin
in guarding well your spirit’s thought,
and may your union give
a place where children can be taught
in godliness to live.

chapter 2:17–3:6
“Where is the God of justice?” – they say.
“God must be pleased with evil-doers, for
he’s not prevented
their ways perverted.”

Cynicism, sarcasm,
excuses, accusing,
and whining, complaining:
God weary.

Will they be ready for refining?
He does not change, and he is coming.
Waiting now, and giving warning
– a messenger will come preparing.

chapter 3:6–16
Deserving destruction,
half–hearted devotion,
with envy of evil that thrives.
Return with affection,
to end your affliction.
Return with the whole of your tithes;
the Lord does not change, his promise is sure,
his covenant mercy has proven secure.

vv.16–18
But those who truly feared the Lord,
talked of him, gave him honour:
the Lord was pleased with what he heard,
and counted them his treasure.
And on his scroll their names were stored.
It will be seen who truly serves.

chapter 4
A coming day of burning for
the wicked who can’t bear
the Lord almighty’s glorious presence, –
he will destroy their arrogance.

When Christ in righteousness appears
on that great day,
restored
each one who now his name reveres,
respects his Word:
in fullest joy, release, delight,
and healing in his glorious light.

‘Elijah’ comes before that day
to turn and to prepare
those who will hear and come God’s way,
else curse the land will bear.

chapter 1 vv.1-17
The church of God may not appear
a strong, majestic sight:
a myrtle, when it’s bruised will bear
sweet scent by day or night.

“Return to me, and I,
I will return to you;
your sorrows I allowed,
to chasten, but the proud
who acted cruelly,
will taste my wrath.”

God sometimes waits a while to show
the church her deepest need
but Christ is there within to know
her troubles, intercede.

vv.18-21
Christ intercedes that God would grant
the church rich grace, for foes
surround her, hornlike, but they can’t
survive God’s timely blows.

chapter 2
Innumerable saved, in spacious home:
called from exile.
– He will come
to live among them, and surround,
protecting;
many nations will be found,
joining with him in that day.

chapter 3
The devil tempts men to despair,
and not believe God’s Word;
but Christ atoned, his church can wear
white garments, serve the LORD.

The temple and the offerings
were teaching things to come; –
a Branch from David’s line God brings –
his servant, saving One.

chapter 4
The Spirit of the LORD brings power abundant,
equips his servants in their work:
so mountain-tasks are levelled, and
tasks menial, small they must not shirk,
or yet despise: the all-seeing One has planned,
and will fulfill.

chapter 5
Scroll so wide, announcing, bringing
punishment to sin so flagrant:
theft and swearing falsely, sinning
against God and men earns judgment.

Wickedness must be enclosed
as a system, packed away
from God’s meeting place removed,
exiled far in jail to stay.

chapter 6 vv.1–8
God is at work both far and wide, –
his judgements, power and will applied;
though Israel feels the work is slow,
God’s kingdom will extend and grow.

vv.9–15
With gifts returned from far,
the priest is crowned as King:
the Branch will reign, a priest enthroned,
he’ll build the temple of the LORD, –
and labourers will come
from far away. Obey his Word.

chapter 7
For what do you feast, and for whom do you fast?
for God, or yourselves? for consider times past
when earlier prophets were sent with God’s Word
their hearers were hardened, ignored what they heard.
The  Lord, like a whirlwind, then scattered them far –
their land became desolate, pleasant no more.

Now, therefore give thought
to the life-guiding laws that he’s clearly taught.

chapter 8
God’s dwelling place of truth and holiness –
young and old in peace and happiness:
promises give motivation,
as do warnings from the past.

People come from every nation
to find God and truth at last.

chapter 9 vv.1–8
God warns those living round about,
but promises he’s watching out,
protecting his people,
and guarding his temple.

vv.9–13
Rejoice, a righteous King! and on a colt
he comes with his salvation.
He’ll rule, bring peace throughout the earth
and meanwhile guard this nation,
and all his covenant people.

vv.14–17
The  LORD will save with mighty hand,
and shield his flock, and people.
They’ll thrive, and sparkle in his land,
attractive as a jewel.

chapter 10 vv.1–3
Pray to the true LORD, and on him depend.
He is the Shepherd to teach and defend.
The comforts and visions of liars deceived,
and weakened the people, – their Shepherd was grieved.

vv.3–12
He strengthens, matures them
equips and restores.
The Ruler from Judah
arises and draws
both Judah and Joseph
– they’re gathered and glad.

His people from slavery returning,
from exile, the true God remembering,
unhindered, opposers brought low,
the strength of the LORD they will know.

chapter 11
Disaster and wailing,
calamatous failing.

The faithful Shepherd will be rejected,
– he’s undervalued, his price returned,
– thrown into the temple, to the potter.
‘Favour’ and ‘Union’  broken, – God’s Word
noted by some who acknowledge the LORD.

The land will wail again in time ahead,
exploiting evil leader rules instead,
the flock deserted.
‘May he be restrained,
confused and enfeebled, curtailed!’

chapter 12
The nations against God’s people.
God intervenes, makes strong,
confuses the foes, stirs panic, fear,
blindness of horses, ‘things’ go wrong,
but his leaders get wisdom and purpose clear.

Jerusalem: immovable rock of safety,
injuring rock of stumbling.

Mourning for the pierced Messiah.
Outpouring of God’s Spirit:
his people all repenting, praying, trusting.

chapter 13  vv.1–6
A fountain to cleanse from sin.
Idolatry scorned,
impurity mourned,
its influence broken,
the lies that have shaken
belief in God’s Word,
by many a false claim
are seen as absurd,
– discarded in shame,
with anger and blame.

vv.7–9
The LORD strikes his Shepherd, so dear,
the sheep then are scattered in fear,
and many know judgement unfold,
but some are refined by the fire like gold,
they call on his name, they’re the people of God.

chapter 14
Disaster for Jerusalem.
Then judgement on God’s enemies:
great cataclysmic day of the Lord:
attack, separation,
safety, consumation;
then constant light and living water.
Survivors join in joy and praise.
No other name, one Lord who stays
King of all the earth now fully,
and in his worship all is holy.

chapter 1
Great ambitions, expectations –
disappointments, and frustrations:
how we use our time and money
shows what matters to us, plainly;
tears and words don’t mean repentance
unless welded to obedience.

Luxuries and games and leisure
can become our life and treasure,
clogging up our days and stifling
worship, and God’s will neglecting;
weigh our souls down, cloud our vision,
God’s Words heard without perception.

Spending much but with no gain
of real value, to sustain,
and enrich, invigorate:
true discipleship can’t wait –
‘not yet’ whispers good intention –
truth demands our prompt attention;
blessing flows from faithful action.

chapter 2 vv.1–9
Strong in the work commanded,
almighty God is with them,
just as he’d covenanted,
His Spirit’s power will aid them.
And this is what’s important
– though less this temple’s state,
he here will be triumphant,
his glory will be great.

He’ll shake the nations, –
their need, their aspirations
he here will meet,
the hope desired will come,

and peace will be accomplished
for those who had been banished.

vv.10–19
Chemical contamination
angers many in our nation,
but concern for heart pollution
gets much less consideration.

Ceremonial defilement
is contagious, and containment
difficult, but it is harder
to pass goodness to each other.

Remember the years that were lost,
how great in the end was the cost,
and the danger to them and to others,
God’s Word not displayed to their neighbours.

vv.20–23
As at the exodus he will
shake powers, the obstinate will fall.

A signet ring sets seal to show
the will of him who owns it, – so
it guarantees what he will do.

This task no man can all fulfil,
only the Christ, Messiah will:

now Zerubbabel’s line will bring
King David’s greater Son and King.

chapter 1 vv.2,3
The Lord here declares
he must bring great destruction
over the face of this earth.

vv.4–13
Now, through Zephanaiah, gives warning to Judah:
soon they will suffer his day.
It won’t be a day of great blessing and pleasure, but
punishment, wailing, dismay:
idolatrous worship removed, –
complacency, compromise, shame,
swept away, and hypocrisy vain.
How many refused to believe it would come?

vv.14–18
The great day of the Lord is so near,
of bitterness, darkness, distress,
of trouble, and ruin, and fear,
for sin will bring fire through the earth,
and wealth cannot satisfy wrath .

chapter 2 vv.1–3
So what will you do, if you know he is coming?
Gather, consider, exhort, mercy praying.
The humble, obedient can ask for his care.
His anger must act, but they may still share
his shelter, protection and hope.

vv.4–15
His judgements will come to nations around,
(– their pride, and unkindness, and insults abound):
to the west, to the east, to the south, and the north
(no Assyrian attackers any more would break forth).
He’ll settle his people, the remnant of faith
where godlessness flourished and sneered,
and in all of the nations throughout all the earth,
he’ll be worshipped, he will be revered.

chapter 3 vv1–7
But now, Jerusalem –
with the righteous Lord within.
Officials, and prophets, and priests profane
the temple, and twist God’s law.
Her people see him punish
those lands, but won’t relinquish
their sins, they love corruption,
won’t fear, accept correction.

vv.8–20
God’s anger comes, consumes throughout the world,
and it is sure;
the Lord will form a holy people, pure.
Among the nations many will call out
to him, and serve.
God’s scattered people will be glad to come to worship.
The city purged of all the proud and vain,  –
the humble, trusting will remain.

And Zion will rejoice, have no more fear,
their punishment removed, no enemy now near;
their God, their Saviour will delight, rejoice,
and comfort,
gathering his people home:
the nations praise, amazed at what he’s done.