Joel 2:1-17

1Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is at hand;

2a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and gross darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; — a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, to the years of generations and generations.

3A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth; the land is as a garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness: yea, and nothing escapeth them.

4The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so they run.

5Like the noise of chariots, on the tops of the mountains, they leap; like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

6Before them the peoples are in anguish: all faces turn pale.

7They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and break not their ranks.

8Neither doth one press upon another; they march every one in his path; and fall amid weapons, but are not wounded.

9They spread themselves over the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in by the windows like a thief.

10The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

11And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for strong is he that executeth his word: for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can bear it?

12Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning;

13and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your 1God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

14Who knoweth? He might return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, an oblation and a drink-offering for Jehovah your 2God?

15Blow the trumpet in Zion, hallow a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly;

16gather the people, hallow the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride from her closet.

17Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare, O Jehovah, thy people, and give not thine inheritance to reproach, that they should be a byword of the nations. Wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their 3God?