A Call to Repentance

12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord,

u“Turn to Me with all your heart,

With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

13 So vrend your heart, and not wyour garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is xgracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

14 yWho knows if He will turn and relent,

And leave za blessing behind Him—

aA grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?

15 bBlow the 6trumpet in Zion,

cConsecrate a fast,

Call a sacred assembly;

16 Gather the people,

dSanctify the congregation,

Assemble the elders,

Gather the children and nursing babes;

eLet the bridegroom go out from his chamber,

And the bride from her dressing room.

17 Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,

Weep fbetween the porch and the altar;

Let them say, g“Spare Your people, O Lord,

And do not give Your heritage to reproach,

That the nations should 7rule over them.

hWhy should they say among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’ ”