12 “Yet even now,” says the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and repents of evil.

14 Who knows whether he will not turn and repent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

a cereal offering and a drink offering

for the Lord, your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sanctify a fast;

call a solemn assembly;

16 gather the people.

Sanctify the congregation;

assemble the elders;

gather the children,

even nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom leave his room,

and the bride her chamber.

17 Between the vestibule and the altar

let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep

and say, “Spare thy people, O Lord,

and make not thy heritage a reproach,

a byword among the nations.

Why should they say among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’ ”

18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land,

and had pity on his people.