Joel 2:4-17

Their appearance is like horses prepared for battle; like war horses, they charge ahead. They rumble like war chariots; they leap over the mountaintops. They devour the land, with the sound of a wildfire devouring stubble. They are a mighty people who are prepared for the battle. At the sight of this army, nations panic, all their faces grow pale. They press forward like mighty warriors, and scale walls like elite soldiers, each marching straight ahead, not swerving from his path. They never jostle each other, for each one stays on his own path. They storm the city and burst through its defenses. Together they are unstoppable. They rush against the city and scale its walls. They climb up into the houses and enter through the windows like thieves. YAHWEH As that army advances, the earth shakes, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. YAHWEH’s voice thunders as he leads his valiant troops. Numberless are the mighty ones who obey his commands. Yes, the day of YAHWEH is great and astonishing! Who can withstand it? “But it’s not too late,” declares YAHWEH. “Come back to me now with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tearing your clothes in sorrow is not enough— tear open your hearts!” Come back to YAHWEH your God, for he is gracious to welcome you home and compassionate to embrace you. YAHWEH is slow to anger and so rich in extravagant love for you. He is always ready to forgive and cancel judgment. Who knows if he will not turn around and show pity, leaving behind a blessing. Then you can bring offerings of grain and wine to be presented to YAHWEH your God. Blow the shofar in Zion! Call for a fast and proclaim a solemn assembly. Gather the people together, and prepare them for a sacred meeting. From the oldest to the youngest, assemble the community, even the nursing infants. Let the newly wedded bride and bridegroom come from their chamber. With everyone gathered in the courtyard, the priests, the ministers of YAHWEH, must stand weeping between the portico and the altar of burnt offering. Let them face the sanctuary and intercede, saying, “Spare your people! Have pity, YAHWEH! Do not expose your very own people to the contempt and sarcasm of the nations. Why give the nations cause to say, ‘Where is their God now?’ ”