Rend Your Heart

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return(A) to me with all your heart,(B)
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart(C)
    and not your garments.(D)
Return(E) to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,(F)
slow to anger and abounding in love,(G)
    and he relents from sending calamity.(H)
14 Who knows? He may turn(I) and relent(J)
    and leave behind a blessing(K)
grain offerings and drink offerings(L)
    for the Lord your God.

15 Blow the trumpet(M) in Zion,(N)
    declare a holy fast,(O)
    call a sacred assembly.(P)
16 Gather the people,
    consecrate(Q) the assembly;
bring together the elders,(R)
    gather the children,
    those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom(S) leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister(T) before the Lord,
    weep(U) between the portico and the altar.(V)
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,(W)
    a byword(X) among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?(Y)’”

Read full chapter

God’s Call for Repentance

12 Even now—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
turn to Me with all your heart,(A)
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.(B)
13 Tear your hearts,(C)
not just your clothes,(D)
and return to the Lord your God.
For He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger, rich in faithful love,
and He relents from sending disaster.(E)
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent(F)
and leave a blessing behind Him,(G)
so you can offer grain and wine
to the Lord your God.(H)

15 Blow the horn in Zion!(I)
Announce a sacred fast;(J)
proclaim an assembly.
16 Gather the people;
sanctify the congregation;(K)
assemble the aged;[a](L)
gather the children,
even those nursing at the breast.
Let the groom leave his bedroom,(M)
and the bride her honeymoon chamber.
17 Let the priests,(N) the Lord’s ministers,
weep between the portico and the altar.(O)
Let them say:
“Have pity on Your people, Lord,(P)
and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,(Q)
an object of scorn among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”(R)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Joel 2:16 Or elders