The paragraph which consists of verses 9-13 contrasts with the earlier part of the chapter and sounds a note of hope for restoration after the judgment of the LORD is completed. Some translators may wish to place a separate section heading here, as mentioned in the comments on the previous section heading at verse 1.

Verse 9 speaks of the conversion of the heathen nations, presumably as a result of the punishment described in the previous verse. Yea, at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech: the opening clause says literally “Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean” (Jerusalem Bible). “Lips” stands for speech and is so translated in Revised Standard Version. Lips or speech were made unclean primarily by the worship of false gods (compare Psa 16.4; Isa 6.5), so when they are made clean or pure again, the result is that the people will call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. To call on the name of the LORD means to pray to and worship him, and so Good News Translation translates “they will pray to me alone and not to other gods.” Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew in having God speak of himself in the third person as the LORD. This is very awkward in English, so Good News Translation maintains the first person throughout the verse and translates as “me.” Many other languages will need to do the same.

The phrase translated with one accord is literally “with one shoulder” and is probably derived from the practice of yoking oxen together for plowing. New International Version translates with a comparable English expression as “shoulder to shoulder.” Good News Translation drops the figure of speech and translates the whole clause in nonfigurative language as “They will all obey me.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on the Book of Zephaniah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1989. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .