Joel 2:13-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
13 Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the Lord, your God,
For he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,
and relenting in punishment.(A)
14 Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind a blessing,[a]
Grain offering and libation
for the Lord, your God.(B)
15 Blow the horn in Zion!
Proclaim a fast,
call an assembly!(C)
16 Gather the people,
sanctify the congregation;
Assemble the elderly;
gather the children,
even infants nursing at the breast;
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride[b] her bridal tent.
Footnotes
- 2:14 Blessing: the rain that makes possible the grapes and grain (v. 19) that workers will process into Temple offerings.
- 2:16 Elderly…infants…bridegroom…bride: Jerusalem is in such great danger that even those normally excused from fasting or working are called upon to participate in activities to ward off the imminent catastrophe.
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