Old Testament
The Book of Zephaniah
The Book of Zephaniah is the forty-first of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 3 chapters and 53 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it Sophonias.
About Zephaniah
About Zephaniah · Prophetic oracles
Zephaniah preached in Jerusalem shortly before the reforms of King Josiah, announcing the day of the Lord as a searching judgment that begins with God's own people. His book sweeps from near-total darkness to one of the prophets' tenderest endings: a humble remnant sheltered in God, and the Lord rejoicing over his people with singing. It was written to burn away complacency — the settled folk who say in their hearts that God will do neither good nor evil — and to gather the lowly into hope.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 41 of 46, 41 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 3 |
| Verses | 53, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | Sophonias |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 3 chapters · 8 notes |
| Catechism | 4 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 3 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Zephaniah 1
18 versesFor divers enormous sins, the kingdom of Juda is threatened with severe judgment.
Zephaniah 2
15 versesAn exhortation to repentance. The judgment of the Philistines, of the Moabites, and the Ammonites; of the Ethiopians and the Assyrians.
Zephaniah 3
20 versesA woe to Jerusalem for her sins. A prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles, and of the poor of Israel: God shall be with them. The Jews shall be converted at last.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Zephaniah is read at the principal Mass on 2 days in the US calendar. The next 5 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent | First Reading | Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 | |
| Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | Zephaniah 3:14-18a | |
| computed | Third Sunday of Advent | First Reading | Zephaniah 3:14-18a |
| computed | St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 |
| computed | Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | Zephaniah 3:14-18a |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.