Joel 2:12–18

GOD’S CALL FOR REPENTANCE

¹²Even now—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

turn to me with all your heart,^ac

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.^ad

¹³Tear 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

¹⁴Who knows? He may turn and relent^ah

and leave a blessing behind him,^ai

so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering

to the Lord your God.^aj

¹⁵Blow the trumpet in Zion!^ak

Announce a sacred fast;^al

proclaim a solemn assembly.

¹⁶Gather the people;

sanctify the congregation;^am

assemble the aged;^Aan

gather the infants,

even babies nursing at the breast.

Let the groom leave his bedroom,^ao

and the bride her honeymoon chamber.

¹⁷Let 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

¹⁸Then the Lord became jealous for his land^c and spared his people.^d