An Appeal for Repentance

2:12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says,

“return to me with all your heart—

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Tear your hearts,44

not just your garments!”

2:13 Return to the Lord your God,

for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to anger and boundless in loyal love45—often relenting from calamitous punishment.46

2:14 Who knows?

Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve,47

and leave blessing in his wake48—

a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the Lord your God!49

2:15 Blow the trumpet50 in Zion.

Announce a holy fast;

proclaim a sacred assembly!

2:16 Gather the people;

sanctify an assembly!

Gather the elders;

gather the children and the nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom come out from his bedroom

and the bride from her private quarters.51

2:17 Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, weep

from the vestibule all the way back to the altar.52

Let them say, “Have pity, O Lord, on your people;

please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked,

to become a proverb53 among the nations.

Why should it be said54 among the peoples,

“Where is their God?”