A Call to Repentance

12 “And even now,” ⌊declares⌋o Yahweh,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, and weeping, and wailing.”

13 Rend your heartsp and not your garments,

and return to Yahweh your God,

because he is gracious and compassionate,

⌊slow to anger⌋q 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?

15 Blow the trumpetr in Zion,

sanctify a fast, call an assembly;

16 gather the people, consecrate the assembly;

assemble the elders, gather the children,

even those who are breast-feeding;

let the bridegroom come out from his private room,

and the bride from her canopy.

17 Between the colonnade and the altar,

let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep.

And let them say, “Take pity, Yahweh, on your people.

Do not make your inheritance a reproach,

a byword among the nations.

Why should they say among the nations,

‘Where is their God?’ ”