Joel 2:12-17
Christian Standard Bible
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, abounding 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 a grain offering and a drink offering
to the Lord your God.(H)
15 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion!(I)
Announce a sacred fast;(J)
proclaim a solemn assembly.
16 Gather the people;
sanctify the congregation;(K)
assemble the aged;[a](L)
gather the infants,
even babies 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)
Footnotes
- 2:16 Or elders
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.