¹² Even now, declares the Lord,
    return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and grief.
¹³ Tear your heart and not your clothing.
    Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and abounding in mercy,
    and he relents from sending disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows?
    He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—
    grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.
¹⁵ Blow the ram’s horn in Zion.
    Set aside a day for fasting.
    Call a solemn convocation.
¹⁶ Gather the people.
    Consecrate the assembly.
    Bring together the elders.
    Gather the children, even those nursing at the breast.
    Let the bridegroom leave his room,
    and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
    weep between the temple porch and the altar.
    Let them say:
        Have compassion on your people, O Lord.
        Do not subject the inheritance you have given us to the scorn of the nations.
        Do not make us notorious among the nations as an object of ridicule.^[a]
        Why should they say among the peoples,
        “Where is their God?”