Joel 2:12–17

God’s Call for Repentance

12 Even now—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

turn to Me with all your heart, s

with fasting, weeping, and mourning. t

13 Tear your hearts, u

not just your clothes, v

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. w

14 Who knows? He may turn and relent x

and leave a blessing behind Him, y

so you can offer grain and wine

to the Lord your God. z

15 Blow the horn in Zion! a

Announce a sacred fast; b

proclaim an assembly.

16 Gather the people;

sanctify the congregation; c

assemble the aged; d e

gather the children,

even those nursing at the breast.

Let the groom leave his bedroom, f

and the bride her honeymoon chamber.

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

weep between the portico and the altar. h

Let them say:

“Have pity on Your people, Lord, i

and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, j

an object of scorn among the nations.

Why should it be said among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’ ” k