Joel 2

1Blow a horn in Zion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lordcomes, for near is 2the day of darkness and gloom, the day of cloud and thick darkness! Like the light of dawn scattered over the mountains, a people great and powerful; its like has not been from of old, neither will be any more after it, even to the years of coming ages. 3Before them the fire devours, and behind them a flame burns; like the garden of Eden is the land before them, and after them it is a desolate desert, nothing escapes them. 4Their appearance is as the appearance of horses, and like horsemen they charge. 5Like the sound of chariots on the tops of the mountains they leap, like the crackle of flames devouring stubble, like a mighty people preparing for battle. 6Peoples are in anguish before them, all faces grow pale. 7Like mighty men they run, like warriors they mount up a wall, they march each by himself, they break not their ranks, 8none jostles the other. They march each in his path. They fall upon the weapons without breaking. 9They scour the city, they run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. Like a thief they enter the windows. 10Earth trembles before them, the sky quakes, the sun and moon become dark, and the stars withdraw their shining; 11and the Lordutters his voice before his army, for his host is exceedingly great. Mighty is he who performs his word. For great is the day of the , Lordit is terrible, who can endure it? 12But now this is the message of the : LordTurn to me with all your heart, and with fasting and weeping and mourning, 13rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lordyour God; for he indeed is gracious and merciful, to anger and plenteous in love, and relents of the evil. 14Who knows but he will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal and drink-offering for the Lordyour God. 15Blow a horn in Zion, sanctify a fast, summon an assembly, 16gather the people, make holy the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and the infants at the breast. the bridegroom come forth from his chamber, and the bride from her bridal tent. 17Between the porch and the altar, let the priests, the ministers of the Lordweep aloud, let them say: Spare, the , Lordyour people. Make not your heritage an object of reproach, for the heathen to mock them. Why should it be said among the nations, ‘Where is their God?’ 18Then the Lordbecame deeply concerned for his land, and took pity upon his people, 19and the Lordanswered and said to his people: I will send you grain, wine, and oil. You will be satisfied. I will not make you again an object of scorn among the nations, 20I will remove far from you the northern foe, and I will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its front into the eastern sea, and its rear to the western sea. And from it a stench will arise. He has done great things! 21Fear not, land, exult. Rejoice for the Lordhas done great things! 22Fear not, animals of the field. For the pastures of the wilderness are putting forth new grass, for the trees bear their fruit, fig tree and vine yield full harvest. 23Be glad, then, children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lordyour God, for he has given you the early rain in just measure, and poured down upon you the winter rain, and sent the latter rain as before. 24The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25I will repay you for the years which the swarming locust has eaten. The hopping, the destroying, and the cutting locusts, my great army which I sent among you, and my people will never again be put to shame. 26You will eat your food and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lordyour God, who has dealt so wonderfully by you, 27and you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, that I am the Lordyour God and none else, and my people will never again be put to shame. 28Afterwards, 29and even on your male and female slaves 30And I will show signs in the sky and on earth: 31The sun will be turned into darkness, Lord.