Loading…

Joel 2:12–14

Return to the Lord

12  “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

i“return to me with all your heart,

jwith fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13  and krend your hearts and not lyour garments.”

Return to the Lord your God,

mfor he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;

nand he relents over disaster.

14  oWho knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and pleave a blessing behind him,

qa grain offering and a drink offering

for the Lord your God?

Read more Explain verse



Joel 2:12–14 — The New International Version (NIV)

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart

and not your garments.

Return to the Lord your God,

for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

and he relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and relent

and leave behind a blessing—

grain offerings and drink offerings

for the Lord your God.

Joel 2:12–14 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord,

Turn ye even to me with all your heart,

And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments,

And turn unto the Lord your God:

For he is gracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness,

And repenteth him of the evil.

14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent,

And leave a blessing behind him;

Even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — New Living Translation (NLT)

12 That is why the Lord says,

“Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the Lord your God,

for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He is eager to relent and not punish.

14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,

sending you a blessing instead of this curse.

Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine

to the Lord your God as before.

Joel 2:12–14 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord,

“Turn to Me with all your heart,

With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

13 So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

14 Who knows if He will turn and relent,

And leave a blessing behind Him—

A grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — New Century Version (NCV)

12 The Lord says, “Even now, come back to me with all your heart.

Fast, cry, and be sad.”

13 Tearing your clothes is not enough to show you are sad;

let your heart be broken.

Come back to the Lord your God,

because he is kind and shows mercy.

He doesn’t become angry quickly,

and he has great love.

He can change his mind about doing harm.

14 Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to you

and leave behind a blessing for you.

Grain and drink offerings belong to the Lord your God.

Joel 2:12–14 — American Standard Version (ASV)

12 Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

12 Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth? He might return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, an oblation and a drink-offering for Jehovah your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

12 “But even now,” declares the Lord

“return to me with all your heart— 

with fasting, crying, and mourning.” 

13 Tear your hearts, not your clothes. 

Return to the Lord your God. 

He is merciful and compassionate, 

patient, and always ready to forgive 

and to change his plans about disaster. 

14 Who knows? 

He may reconsider and change his plan 

and leave a blessing for you. 

Then you could give grain offerings and wine offerings 

to the Lord your God. 

Joel 2:12–14 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 Even now—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

turn to Me with all your heart,

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

13 Tear your hearts,

not just your clothes,

and return to the Lord your God.

For He is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger, rich in faithful love,

and He relents from sending disaster.

14 Who knows? He may turn and relent

and leave a blessing behind Him,

so you can offer grain and wine

to the Lord your God.

Joel 2:12–14 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12 Yet even now, says the Lord,

return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain offering and a drink offering

for the Lord, your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

12 “And even now,” declares Yahweh,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, and weeping, and wailing.”

13 Rend your hearts and not your garments,

and return to Yahweh your God,

because he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and great in loyal love,

and relenting from harm.

14 Who knows whether he will turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

an offering and a libation,

for Yahweh your God?

Joel 2:12–14 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

12 The Lord announces to his people,

“Return to me with all your heart.

There is still time.

Do not eat any food.

Sob and cry.”

13 Don’t just tear your clothes to show how sad you are.

Let your hearts be broken.

Return to the Lord your God.

He is gracious.

He is tender and kind.

He is slow to get angry.

He is full of love.

He takes pity on you.

He won’t destroy you.

14 Who knows? He might turn toward you

and have pity on you.

He might even give you his blessing.

Then you can bring grain offerings and drink offerings

to the Lord your God.

Joel 2:12–14 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

Return to Me with all your heart,

And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

13 And rend your heart and not your garments.”

Now return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and compassionate,

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness

And relenting of evil.

14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent

And leave a blessing behind Him,

Even a grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?


A service of Logos Bible Software