Joel 2:12–17

Let Your Hearts Be Broken

¹²The Lord announces to his people,

“Return to me with all your heart.

There is still time.

Do not eat any food.

Sob and cry.”

¹³Don’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.

¹⁴Who 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.

¹⁵Priests, blow the trumpets in Zion.

Announce a holy fast.

Tell the people not to eat anything.

Gather them together for a special service.

¹⁶Bring them together.

Set all of them apart to me.

Bring together the elders.

Gather the children and the babies

who are still nursing.

Let the groom leave his bedroom.

Let the bride leave their marriage bed.

¹⁷Let the priests who serve the Lord sob.

Let them cry between the temple porch and the altar.

Let them say, “Lord, spare your people.

Don’t let others make fun of them.

Don’t let the nations laugh at them.

Don’t let them tease your people and say,

‘Where is their God?’ ”