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Return to the Lord

12 Yet even now—oracle of the Lord
    return to me with your whole heart,
    with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
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.
17 Between the porch and the altar[c]
    let the priests weep,
    let the ministers of the Lord weep and say:
“Spare your people, Lord!
    do not let your heritage become a disgrace,
    a byword among the nations!
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’”(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:14 Blessing: the rain that makes possible the grapes and grain (v. 19) that workers will process into Temple offerings.
  2. 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.
  3. 2:17 Between the porch and the altar: the priests stood in the open space between the outdoor altar for burnt offerings and the Temple building.