Joel 2:11–17

11 The Lordb thundersc

at the head of his army;d

his forces are beyond number,

and mighty is the army that obeys his command.

The day of the Lord is great;e

it is dreadful.

Who can endure it?f

Rend Your Heart

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,

“returng to me with all your heart,h

with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your hearti

and not your garments.j

Returnk to the Lord your God,

for he is gracious and compassionate,l

slow to anger and abounding in love,m

and he relents from sending calamity.n

14 Who knows? He may turno and relentp

and leave behind a blessingq—

grain offerings and drink offeringsr

for the Lord your God.

15 Blow the trumpets in Zion,t

declare a holy fast,u

call a sacred assembly.v

16 Gather the people,

consecratew the assembly;

bring together the elders,x

gather the children,

those nursing at the breast.

Let the bridegroomy leave his room

and the bride her chamber.

17 Let the priests, who ministerz before the Lord,

weepa between the portico and the altar.b

Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.

Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,c

a bywordd among the nations.

Why should they say among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?e’ ”