15-17 Blow the ram’s horn trumpet in Zion!
    Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day.
Call a public meeting.
    Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation.
Make sure the elders come,
    but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies,
Even men and women on their honeymoon—
    interrupt them and get them there.
Between Sanctuary entrance and altar,
    let the priests, God’s servants, weep tears of repentance.
Let them intercede: “Have mercy, God, on your people!
    Don’t abandon your heritage to contempt.
Don’t let the pagans take over and rule them
    and sneer, ‘And so where is this God of theirs?’”

* * *

Read full chapter

17 Let the priests, who minister(A) before the Lord,
    weep(B) between the portico and the altar.(C)
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,(D)
    a byword(E) among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?(F)’”

Read full chapter