Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 7:20
Ecclesiastes states that there is not a just man on earth who does good and sins not, which contrasts with Zephaniah 2:3's call to seek meekness and righteousness.
Ecclesiastes 7:20: For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Contradiction with Romans 3:10
This verse declares that there is none righteous, no, not one, challenging the notion in Zephaniah that righteousness and seeking the Lord are attainable.
Romans 3:10: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Contradiction with 1 John 1:8
This verse suggests that claiming to be without sin is self-deception, complicating Zephaniah's encouragement to seek righteousness and humility.
1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Contradiction with Isaiah 64:6
Isaiah suggests that all our righteous acts are like filthy rags, which contradicts the implication in Zephaniah 2:3 that righteousness can shield from divine anger.
Isaiah 64:6: But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Contradiction with Psalm 14:3
Similar to Romans 3:10, this verse claims there is no one who does good, no, not one, which stands in contrast to the pursuit of righteousness anticipated in Zephaniah.
Psalm 14:3: They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. [filthy: Heb. stinking]
Contradiction with Proverbs 20:9
The rhetorical question of who can say they have made their heart pure and cleansed from sin contrasts with Zephaniah's encouragement to seek righteousness as a way to be hidden from God's wrath.
Proverbs 20:9: Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:9
This verse depicts the heart as deceitful and desperately wicked, juxtaposing Zephaniah’s call to seek a pure and humble heart for salvation.
Jeremiah 17:9: The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?