--- title: "Book of Zephaniah: Summary & All 3 Chapters · Bless" url: https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/ description: "The Book of Zephaniah, a book of prophetic oracles in 3 chapters. Bp. Challoner’s summary of all 3 chapters, and the full text free." --- 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. [Start reading: Zephaniah 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/1/) [1](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/1/) [2](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/2/) [3](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) ## 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. *Zephaniah in Bless* | | | |---|---| | 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. 1. ### [Zephaniah 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/1/) 18 verses For divers enormous sins, the kingdom of Juda is threatened with severe judgment. 2. ### [Zephaniah 2](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/2/) 15 verses An exhortation to repentance. The judgment of the Philistines, of the Moabites, and the Ammonites; of the Ethiopians and the Assyrians. 3. ### [Zephaniah 3](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) 20 verses A 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 | |---|---|---|---| | [Tue, Dec 15, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/15/) | Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent | First Reading | [Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) | | [Mon, May 31, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/31/) | Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | [Zephaniah 3:14-18a](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) | | [Sun, Dec 12, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/12/12/) computed | Third Sunday of Advent | First Reading | [Zephaniah 3:14-18a](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) | | [Tue, Dec 14, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/12/14/) computed | St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | [Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) | | [Wed, May 31, 2028](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2028/05/31/) computed | Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | [Zephaniah 3:14-18a](https://blessbible.app/bible/zephaniah/3/) | 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. [Previous book The Book of Habakkuk](https://blessbible.app/bible/habakkuk/) [Next book The Book of Haggai](https://blessbible.app/bible/haggai/)