Joel 2:2-10

2A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and of thick [dark] mist, Like the dawn spread over the mountains; There is a [pagan, hostile] people numerous and mighty, The like of which has never been before Nor will be again afterward Even for years of many generations.

3Before them a fire devours, And behind them a flame burns; Before them the land is like the Garden of Eden, But behind them a desolate wilderness; And nothing at all escapes them.

4Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, And they run like war horses.

5Like the noise of chariots They leap on the tops of the mountains, Like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, Like a mighty people set in battle formation.

6Before them the people are in anguish; All faces become pale [with terror].

7They run like warriors; They climb the wall like soldiers. They each march [straight ahead] in line, And they do not deviate from their paths.

8They do not crowd each other; Each one marches in his path. When they burst through the defenses (weapons), They do not break ranks.

9They rush over the city, They run on the wall; They climb up into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.

10The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble, The sun and the moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness.