Joel 2:1-17

1Blow the shofar in Zion! Sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all living in the land tremble— for the day of Adonai is coming— surely it is near!

2A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as blackness spreads over the mountains. A great and mighty people— from antiquity there was never anything like it, nor after it ever again from generation to generation.

3A fire devours before them and behind them flame blazes up. Like the Garden of Eden is the land before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness. Nothing at all ever escapes them.

4Their appearance is like the appearance of horses— they gallop like war horses.

5Like the clatter of chariots, they leap on the tops of mountains, like crackling flame of fire devouring stubble, like a mighty horde in battle array.

6Before them peoples are in anguish. All faces become ashen gray.

7They run like mighty men. They climb a wall like men of war. They each march in line, never deviating from their ways.

8One does not crowd another. Each one marches on his own highway. They plunge through the weapons, never breaking off.

9They rush on the city, they run on the wall, they climb up into the houses, coming through the windows like a thief.

10Before them land quakes, heaven trembles, sun and moon become dark, stars withdraw their brightness.

11Adonai utters His voice before His army. For His camp is very vast—for mighty is it that carries out His word. For great is the day of Adonai— very terrifying! Who can endure it?

12“Yet even now” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting.”

13Rend your heart, not your garments, and turn to Adonai, your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in mercy, and relenting about the calamity due.

14Who knows? He may turn and relent, and may leave a blessing behind Him —so there may be a grain offering and a drink offering for Adonai, your God.

15Blow the shofar in Zion! Sanctify a fast; proclaim an assembly.

16Gather the people; sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even those nursing at breasts. Let the bridegroom come out from his bedroom and the bride from her chamber.

17Between the porch and the altar let the kohanim, ministers of Adonai, weep, and let them say: “Have pity, Adonai, on Your people. Don’t make Your heritage a scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’”