Joel 2:11–15

The Lord utters his voice

before his army,

for his camp is exceedingly great;

he who executes his word is powerful.

For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome;

who can endure it?

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;

and he relents over disaster.

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?

Blow the trumpet in Zion;

consecrate a fast;

call a solemn assembly;

The Lord thunders

at the head of his army;

his forces are beyond number,

and mighty is the army that obeys his command.

The day of the Lord is great;

it is dreadful.

Who can endure it?

“Even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

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.

Who knows? He may turn and relent

and leave behind a blessing—

grain offerings and drink offerings

for the Lord your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion,

declare a holy fast,

call a sacred assembly.

The Lord makes his voice heard

in the presence of his army.

His camp is very large;

those who carry out his command are powerful.

Indeed, the day of the Lord is terrible and dreadful—

who can endure it?

Even now—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

turn to me with all your heart,

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Tear your hearts,

not just your clothes,

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.

Who knows? He may turn and relent

and leave a blessing behind him,

so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering

to the Lord your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!

Announce a sacred fast;

proclaim a solemn assembly.

The Lord is at the head of the column.

He leads them with a shout.

This is his mighty army,

and they follow his orders.

The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing.

Who can possibly survive?

That is why the Lord says,

“Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

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.

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.

Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem!

Announce a time of fasting;

call the people together

for a solemn meeting.

And Yahweh utters his voice before his army,

because his encampment is very large;

strong is the one who carries out his decree,

for great is the day of Yahweh

and exceedingly fearful.

Who can endure it?

“And even now,” declares Yahweh,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, and weeping, and wailing.”

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.

Who knows whether he will turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

an offering and a libation,

for Yahweh your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion,

sanctify a fast, call an assembly;

And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army:

For his camp is very great:

For he is strong that executeth his word:

For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible;

And who can abide it?

Therefore also now, saith the Lord,

Turn ye even to me with all your heart,

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

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.

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?

Blow the trumpet in Zion,

Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: