(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)
This book contains the prophecies of Zephaniah. Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah. He prophesied during the reign of King Josiah, which was between 640 and 609 B.C. This was the same time that Jeremiah and Nahum were alive. This was also before the nation of Assyria had been conquered (2:13). Zephaniah’s message was directed to the nation of Judah after the nation of Israel had already been conquered.
Zephaniah spoke about a coming day of judgement where God would punish Judah as well as the other nations of the world. This punishment would purify the people (3:9), and God would restore some of the people — those who were humble and lowly.
Outline:
1. In chapter 1:1 Zephaniah is introduced.
2. Chapter 1:2-2:3 states that God will punish Judah.
3. Chapter 2:4-2:15 says that God will punish the nations of the world.
4. Chapter 3 explains that God will restore some of the people who remain — the humble and lowly.
Ce livre contient les prophéties de Sophonie, descendant du roi Ezéchias. Il a prophétisé au règne du roi Josias qui s’est déroulé entre 640 et 609 av. J.-C. C’était pendant la même époque où vivaient Jérémie et Nahum. C’était aussi avant que la nation d’Assyrie ait été conquise. Le message de Sophonie était à l’intention de la nation de Juda après que la nation d’Israël avait déjà été conquise.
Sophonie parlait d’un jour de jugement à venir où Dieu punirait Juda aussi bien que les autres nations du monde. Cette punition purifierait le peuple (3.9), et Dieu rétablirait une partie du peuple – ceux qui étaient humbles et modestes.
Résumé de Sophonie
1. Au chapitre 1.1, Sophonie est présenté.
2. Les chapitres 1.2 à 2.3 déclarent que Dieu punira Juda.
3. Le chapitre 2.4-15 dit que Dieu punira les nations du monde.
4. Le chapitre 3 explique que Dieu rétablira une partie du peuple qui restera – les humbles et modestes.
Translation: Swahili
Utangulizi kwa Zefania
Kitabu hiki kina unabii wa Zefania. Zefania alikuwa mzao wa Mfalme Hezekia. Alitabiri wakati wa utawala wa Mfalme Yosia, ambayo ilikuwa kati ya mwaka 640 na 609 K.K.(kabla ya kristo). Hii ilikuwa wakati ule ule ambao Yeremia na Nahumu walipokuwa hai. Hii ilikuwa pia kabla ya taifa la Ashuru kutekwa (2:13). Ujumbe wa Zefania ulielekezwa kwa taifa la Yuda baada ya taifa la Israeli kuwa tayari limeshindwa.
Zefania alizungumza juu ya siku ya hukumu inayokuja ambapo Mungu angewaadhibu Yuda na mataifa mengine ya ulimwengu. Adhabu hii ingewatakasa watu (3:9), na Mungu angewarejesha baadhi ya watu - wale ambao walikuwa wanyenyekevu na wanyonge.
Muhtasari:
1. Katika sura ya 1: 1 Zefania anatambulishwa.
2. Sura ya 1: 2-2: 3 inasema kwamba Mungu atamwadhibu Yuda.
3. Sura ya 2: 4-2: 15 inasema kwamba Mungu atayaadhibu mataifa ya ulimwengu.
4. Sura ya 3 inaelezea kwamba Mungu atawarudisha baadhi ya watu waliosalia - wanyenyekevu na wanyonge.
