Joel 2:12-17
Legacy Standard Bible
Return to Yahweh
12 “Yet even now,” declares Yahweh,
“(A)Return to Me with all your heart
And with (B)fasting, weeping, and [a]wailing;
13 And (C)tear your heart and not (D)your garments.”
Now return to Yahweh your God,
For He is (E)gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness,
And (F)relenting concerning evil.
14 Who knows (G)whether He will not turn and relent
And leave a (H)blessing behind Him,
Even (I)a grain offering and a drink offering
For Yahweh your God?
15 (J)Blow a trumpet in Zion,
(K)Set apart a fast as holy, call for a solemn assembly,
16 Gather the people, (L)set apart the congregation as holy,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the infants and the nursing babies.
Let the (M)bridegroom come out of his room
And the bride out of her bridal chamber.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh,
Weep (N)between the porch and the altar,
And let them say, “(O)Pity Your people, O Yahweh,
And do not make Your inheritance a (P)reproach,
A byword among the nations.
Why should they among the peoples say,
‘(Q)Where is their God?’”
Footnotes
- Joel 2:12 Or lamentation, cf. 1:13
Joel 2:12-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;(A)
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,
and relenting from punishment.(B)
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?(C)
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;(D)
16 gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her canopy.(E)
17 Between the vestibule and the altar,
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”(F)
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.