15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

19 Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

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15 Blow the trumpet(A) in Zion,(B)
    declare a holy fast,(C)
    call a sacred assembly.(D)
16 Gather the people,
    consecrate(E) the assembly;
bring together the elders,(F)
    gather the children,
    those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom(G) leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister(H) before the Lord,
    weep(I) between the portico and the altar.(J)
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,(K)
    a byword(L) among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?(M)’”

The Lord’s Answer

18 Then the Lord was jealous(N) for his land
    and took pity(O) on his people.

19 The Lord replied[a] to them:

“I am sending you grain, new wine(P) and olive oil,(Q)
    enough to satisfy you fully;(R)
never again will I make you
    an object of scorn(S) to the nations.

20 “I will drive the northern horde(T) far from you,
    pushing it into a parched and barren land;
its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea
    and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea.
And its stench(U) will go up;
    its smell will rise.”

Surely he has done great things!

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Footnotes

  1. Joel 2:19 Or Lord will be jealous … / and take pity … / 19 The Lord will reply