Berean Standard Bible

Joel 2:12-17

12“Yet evenH1571 nowH6258,” declaresH5002 the LORDH3068, “returnH7725 to MeH5704 with allH3605 your heartH3824, with fastingH6685, weepingH1065, and mourningH4553.”

13So rendH7167 your heartsH3824 and notH408 your garmentsH899,and returnH7725 toH413 the LORDH3068 your GodH430.ForH3588 HeH1931 is graciousH2587 and compassionateH7349,slowH750 to angerH639, aboundingH7227 in loving devotionH2617.1And He relentsH5162 fromH5921 sending disasterH7451.14WhoH4310 knowsH3045? He may turnH7725 and relentH5162and leaveH7604 a blessingH1293 behind HimH310—grainH4503 and drink offeringsH5262for the LORDH3068 your GodH430.

15BlowH8628 the ram’s hornH7782 in ZionH6726,consecrateH6942 a fastH6685,proclaimH7121 a sacred assemblyH6116.16GatherH622 the peopleH5971, sanctifyH6942 the congregationH6951,assembleH6908 the agedH2205, gatherH622 the childrenH5768,even those nursingH3243 at the breastH7699.Let the bridegroomH2860 leaveH3318 his roomH2315,and the brideH3618 her chamberH2646.17Let the priestsH3548 who ministerH8334 before the LORDH3068weepH1058 betweenH996 the porticoH197 and the altarH4196,sayingH559, “SpareH2347 Your peopleH5971, O LORDH3068,and do notH408 makeH5414 Your heritageH5159 a reproachH2781,an object of scornH4910 among the nationsH1471.WhyH4100 should they sayH559 among the peoplesH5971,‘WhereH346 is their GodH430?’”

Notes

1. Joel 2:13 Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant. ↩