Joel 2:3–9

3 Before them firek devours,

behind them a flame blazes.

Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,l

behind them, a desert wastem—

nothing escapes them.

4 They have the appearance of horses;n

they gallop along like cavalry.

5 With a noise like that of chariotso

they leap over the mountaintops,

like a crackling firep consuming stubble,

like a mighty army drawn up for battle.

6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;q

every face turns pale.r

7 They charge like warriors;s

they scale walls like soldiers.

They all march in line,t

not swervingu from their course.

8 They do not jostle each other;

each marches straight ahead.

They plunge through defenses

without breaking ranks.

9 They rush upon the city;

they run along the wall.

They climb into the houses;v

like thieves they enter through the windows.w