Old Testament - Third Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3.14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
     shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
     O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
     he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord , is in your midst;
     you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
     do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord , your God, is in your midst,
     a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
     he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
     so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors
     at that time.
And I will save the lame
     and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
     and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
     at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
     among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
     before your eyes, says the Lord.