Joel 2:1-27.
Joel 2:1-27 (Good News Translation)
1 "Blow the trumpet; sound the alarm on Zion, God's sacred hill.
Tremble, people of Judah! The day of the LORD is coming soon. 2 It
will be a dark and gloomy day, a black and cloudy day. The great army
of locusts advances like darkness spreading over the mountains. There
has never been anything like it, and there never will be again. 3 Like
fire they eat up the plants. In front of them the land is like the
Garden of Eden, but behind them it is a barren desert. Nothing escapes
them. 4 They look like horses; they run like war-horses. 5 As they
leap on the tops of the mountains, they rattle like chariots; they
crackle like dry grass on fire. They are lined up like a great army
ready for battle. 6 As they approach, everyone is terrified; every
face turns pale. 7 They attack like warriors; they climb the walls
like soldiers. They all keep marching straight ahead and do not change
direction 8 or get in each other's way. They swarm through defenses,
and nothing can stop them. 9 They rush against the city; they run over
the walls; they climb up the houses and go in through the windows like
thieves. 10 The earth shakes as they advance; the sky trembles. The
sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. 11 The LORD
thunders commands to his army. The troops that obey him are many and
mighty. How terrible is the day of the LORD! Who will survive it? 12
"But even now," says the LORD, "repent sincerely and return to me with
fasting and weeping and mourning. 13 Let your broken heart show your
sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough. " Come back to the LORD
your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his
promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish. 14 Perhaps the
LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops.
Then you can offer him grain and wine. 15 Blow the trumpet on Mount
Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly! 16 Gather the
people together; prepare them for a sacred meeting; bring the old
people; gather the children and the babies too. Even newly married
couples must leave their homes and come. 17 The priests, serving the
LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and
pray: "Have pity on your people, LORD. Do not let other nations
despise us and mock us by saying, "Where is your God?" " 18 Then the
LORD showed concern for his land; he had mercy on his people. 19 He
answered them: "Now I am going to give you grain and wine and olive
oil, and you will be satisfied. Other nations will no longer despise
you. 20 I will remove the locust army that came from the north and
will drive some of them into the desert. Their front ranks will be
driven into the Dead Sea, their rear ranks into the Mediterranean.
Their dead bodies will stink. I will destroy them because of all they
have done to you. 21 Fields, don't be afraid, but be joyful and glad
because of all the LORD has done for you. 22 Animals, don't be afraid.
The pastures are green; the trees bear their fruit, and there are
plenty of figs and grapes. 23 Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice at what
the LORD your God has done for you. He has given you the right amount
of autumn rain; he has poured down the winter rain for you and the
spring rain as before. 24 The threshing places will be full of grain;
the pits beside the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil. 25
I will give you back what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts
ate your crops. It was I who sent this army against you. 26 Now you
will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied. You will praise the LORD
your God, who has done wonderful things for you. My people will never
be despised again. 27 Then, Israel, you will know that I am among you
and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. My people
will never be despised again."
God bless you.
1 "Blow the trumpet; sound the alarm on Zion, God's sacred hill.
Tremble, people of Judah! The day of the LORD is coming soon. 2 It
will be a dark and gloomy day, a black and cloudy day. The great army
of locusts advances like darkness spreading over the mountains. There
has never been anything like it, and there never will be again. 3 Like
fire they eat up the plants. In front of them the land is like the
Garden of Eden, but behind them it is a barren desert. Nothing escapes
them. 4 They look like horses; they run like war-horses. 5 As they
leap on the tops of the mountains, they rattle like chariots; they
crackle like dry grass on fire. They are lined up like a great army
ready for battle. 6 As they approach, everyone is terrified; every
face turns pale. 7 They attack like warriors; they climb the walls
like soldiers. They all keep marching straight ahead and do not change
direction 8 or get in each other's way. They swarm through defenses,
and nothing can stop them. 9 They rush against the city; they run over
the walls; they climb up the houses and go in through the windows like
thieves. 10 The earth shakes as they advance; the sky trembles. The
sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. 11 The LORD
thunders commands to his army. The troops that obey him are many and
mighty. How terrible is the day of the LORD! Who will survive it? 12
"But even now," says the LORD, "repent sincerely and return to me with
fasting and weeping and mourning. 13 Let your broken heart show your
sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough. " Come back to the LORD
your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his
promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish. 14 Perhaps the
LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops.
Then you can offer him grain and wine. 15 Blow the trumpet on Mount
Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly! 16 Gather the
people together; prepare them for a sacred meeting; bring the old
people; gather the children and the babies too. Even newly married
couples must leave their homes and come. 17 The priests, serving the
LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and
pray: "Have pity on your people, LORD. Do not let other nations
despise us and mock us by saying, "Where is your God?" " 18 Then the
LORD showed concern for his land; he had mercy on his people. 19 He
answered them: "Now I am going to give you grain and wine and olive
oil, and you will be satisfied. Other nations will no longer despise
you. 20 I will remove the locust army that came from the north and
will drive some of them into the desert. Their front ranks will be
driven into the Dead Sea, their rear ranks into the Mediterranean.
Their dead bodies will stink. I will destroy them because of all they
have done to you. 21 Fields, don't be afraid, but be joyful and glad
because of all the LORD has done for you. 22 Animals, don't be afraid.
The pastures are green; the trees bear their fruit, and there are
plenty of figs and grapes. 23 Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice at what
the LORD your God has done for you. He has given you the right amount
of autumn rain; he has poured down the winter rain for you and the
spring rain as before. 24 The threshing places will be full of grain;
the pits beside the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil. 25
I will give you back what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts
ate your crops. It was I who sent this army against you. 26 Now you
will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied. You will praise the LORD
your God, who has done wonderful things for you. My people will never
be despised again. 27 Then, Israel, you will know that I am among you
and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. My people
will never be despised again."
God bless you.
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