Joel 2:12-17

Modern English Version

¹³ Rend your heart,
    and not your garments;
return to the Lord your God,
    for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
    and He relents from punishing.
¹⁴ Who knows? He might turn aside and relent,
    and He might leave behind a blessing—
a grain offering and a food offering
    for the Lord your God.

¹⁵ Blow the ram’s horn in Zion,
    consecrate a fast,
    call a sacred assembly.
¹⁶ Gather the people,
    consecrate the congregation,
assemble the elders,
    gather the children
    and those nursing at the breast;
let the bridegroom leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the temple porch and the altar,
    let the priests, ministers of the Lord, weep and say,
“Have pity upon Your people,
    and do not make Your heritage a disgrace,
    a mockery among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’ ”