The Lord’s Response

2:18 Then the Lord became55 zealous for his land;

he had compassion on his people.

2:19 The Lord responded56 to his people,

“Look! I am about to restore your grain57

as well as fresh wine and olive oil.

You will be fully satisfied.58

I will never again make you an object of mockery among the nations.

2:20 I will remove the one from the north59 far from you.

I will drive him out to a dry and desolate place.

Those in front will be driven eastward into the Dead Sea,60

and those in back westward into the Mediterranean Sea.61

His stench will rise up as a foul smell.”62

Indeed, the Lord63 has accomplished great things.

2:21 Do not fear, my land!

Rejoice and be glad,

because the Lord has accomplished great things!

2:22 Do not fear, wild animals!64

For the pastures of the wilderness are again green with grass.

Indeed, the trees bear their fruit;

the fig tree and the vine yield to their fullest.65

2:23 Citizens of Zion,66 rejoice!

Be glad because of what the Lord your God has done!67

For he has given to you the early rains68 as vindication.

He has sent69 to you the rains—

both the early and the late rains70 as formerly.

2:24 The threshing floors are full of grain;

the vats overflow with fresh wine and olive oil.

2:25 I will make up for the years71

that the ‘arbeh-locust72 consumed your crops73—

the yeleq-locust, the hasil-locust, and the gazam-locust—

my great army74 that I sent against you.

2:26 You will have plenty to eat,

and your hunger will be fully satisfied;75

you will praise the name of the Lord your God,

who has acted wondrously in your behalf.

My people will never again be put to shame.

2:27 You will be convinced that I am in the midst of Israel.

I am the Lord your God; there is no other.

My people will never again be put to shame.