Joel 2:12-17

International Standard Version

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
    “Turn back to me with your whole heart,
        with fasting, tears, and mourning.
¹³ Tear your hearts, not your garments;^[a]
    and turn back to the Lord your God.
For he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to become angry,
overflowing in gracious love,
    and grieves about this evil.
¹⁴ Who knows? He will turn back and relent, will he not,
    leaving behind a blessing,
        even a grain offering and drink offering for the Lord your God?”

¹⁵ “Sound the ram’s horn in Zion!
    Dedicate a fast and call for a solemn assembly!
¹⁶ Gather the people!
    Dedicate the congregation!
Bring in the elders.
    Gather the youngsters
        and even the nursing infants.
Call the bridegroom from his wedding preparations,^[b]
    and the bride from her dressing room.
¹⁷ As they serve^[c] between the porch and the altar,
    let the priests and ministers of the Lord weep and pray:
‘Spare your people, Lord,
    and do not make your heritage a disgrace
        so that nations ridicule them.
Why should they say among the people,
    “Where is their God?”’”