16     gather the people.
(A)Consecrate the congregation;
    assemble the elders;
(B)gather the children,
    even nursing infants.
(C)Let the bridegroom leave his room,
    and the bride her chamber.

17 (D)Between the (E)vestibule and the (F)altar
    (G)let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
    and make not your heritage a reproach,
    a byword among the nations.[a]
(H)Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’”

The Lord Had Pity

18 (I)Then the Lord became jealous for his land
    (J)and had pity on his people.

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Footnotes

  1. Joel 2:17 Or reproach, that the nations should rule over them

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

The Lord’s Answer

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

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