Joel 1:13-20

International Children’s Bible

¹³Priests, put on your rough cloth and cry to show your sadness.
    Servants of the altar, cry out loud.
Servants of my God,
    sleep in your rough cloth to show your sadness.
Cry because there will be no more grain or drink offerings
    to offer in the Temple of your God.
¹⁴Call the people together.
    Tell them there will be a time to give up food.
Bring together the elders
    and everyone who lives in the land.
Bring them to the Temple of the Lord your God.
    And cry out to the Lord.
¹⁵This will be a terrible day!
    The Lord’s day of judging is near.
At that time punishment will come
    like an attack from God All-Powerful.

¹⁶Our food is taken away
    while we watch.
Joy and happiness are gone
    from the Temple of our God.
¹⁷We planted seeds,
    but they lie dry and dead in the dirt.
Our barns are empty and falling down.
    The storerooms for grain have been broken down.
    This is because the grain has dried up.
¹⁸The animals are hungry and groaning!
    The herds of cattle wander around confused.
They have no grass to eat.
    Even the flocks of sheep suffer.
¹⁹Lord, I am calling to you for help.
    Fire has burned up the open pastures.
    Flames have burned all the trees in the field.
²⁰Wild animals also need your help.
    The water in the streams has dried up.
    Fire has burned up the open pastures.