GOD’S CALL FOR REPENTANCE

12 Even now—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

turn to me with all your heart,ac

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.ad

13 Tear your hearts,ae

not just your clothes,af

and return to the Lord your God.

For he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger, abounding in faithful love,

and he relents from sending disaster.ag

14 Who knows? He may turn and relentah

and leave a blessing behind him,ai

so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering

to the Lord your God.aj

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion!ak

Announce a sacred fast;al

proclaim a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people;

sanctify the congregation;am

assemble the aged;B,an

gather the infants,

even babies nursing at the breast.

Let the groom leave his bedroom,ao

and the bride her honeymoon chamber.

17 Let the priests,ap the Lord’s ministers,

weep between the portico and the altar.aq

Let them say,

“Have pity on your people, Lord,ar

and do not make your inheritance a disgrace,a

an object of scorn among the nations.

Why should it be said among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’ ”b

GOD’S RESPONSE TO HIS PEOPLE

18 Then the Lord became jealous for his landc and spared his people.d