Joel 2
1Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on My holy mountain!
Let all who dwell in the land tremble,
for the Day of the LORD is coming;
in fact, it is at hand—
2a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like the dawn overspreading the mountains
a great and strong people appears,
such as never was of old,
nor will ever be in ages to come.
3Before them a fire devours,
and behind them a flame scorches.
The land before them is like the Garden of Eden,
but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—
surely nothing will escape them.
4Their appearance is like that of horses,
and they gallop like swift steeds.
5With a sound like that of chariots
they bound over the mountaintops,
like the crackling of fire consuming stubble,
like a mighty army deployed for battle.
6Nations writhe in horror before them;
every face turns pale.
7They charge like mighty men;
they scale walls like men of war.
Each one marches in formation,
not swerving from the course.
8They do not jostle one another;
each man proceeds in his column,
as they burst through the defenses,
never breaking ranks.
9They storm the city;
they run along the wall;
they climb into houses,
entering through windows like thieves.
10Before them the earth quakes;
the heavens tremble.
The sun and moon grow dark,
and the stars lose their brightness.
11The LORD raises His voice
in the presence of His army.
Indeed, His camp is very large,
for mighty are those who obey His command.
For the day of the LORD is great
and very dreadful. Who can endure it?
Return with All Your Heart
12Yet even now,
declares the LORD,
return to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13So rend your hearts and not your garments,
and return to the LORD your God.
For He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger,
and abounding in loving devotion.
And He relents from sending disaster.
14Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave a blessing behind Him—
grain and drink offerings
to the LORD your God.
15Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast,
proclaim a sacred assembly.
16Gather the people,
sanctify the congregation,
assemble the aged, gather the children,
even those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
17Let the priests who minister before the LORD
weep between the porch and the altar,
saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD,
and do not make Your heritage a reproach,
an object of scorn among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Restoration Promised