Joel 2:12-19

Good News Translation

A Call to Repentance

¹²“But even now,” says the Lord,
    “repent sincerely and return to me
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.
¹³Let your broken heart show your sorrow;
    tearing your clothes is not enough.”

Come back to the Lord your God.
    He is kind and full of mercy;
    he is patient and keeps his promise;
    he is always ready to forgive and not punish.
¹⁴Perhaps the Lord your God will change his mind
    and bless you with abundant crops.
Then you can offer him grain and wine.

¹⁵Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion;
    give orders for a fast and call an assembly!
¹⁶Gather the people together;
    prepare them for a sacred meeting;
    bring the old people;
    gather the children
    and the babies too.
    Even newly married couples
    must leave their homes and come.
¹⁷^(A)The priests, serving the Lord
    between the altar and the entrance of the Temple,
must weep and pray:
    “Have pity on your people, Lord.
    Do not let other nations despise us and mock us
    by saying, ‘Where is your God?’”

God Restores Fertility to the Land

¹⁸Then the Lord showed concern for his land;
    he had mercy on his people.
¹⁹He answered them:
    “Now I am going to give you
    grain and wine and olive oil,
    and you will be satisfied.
    Other nations will no longer despise you.