12. “But even now,” declares the Lord,“return to me with all your heart—with fasting, crying, and mourning.”
13. Tear your hearts, not your clothes.Return to the Lord your God.He is merciful and compassionate,patient, and always ready to forgiveand to change his plans about disaster.
14. Who knows?He may reconsider and change his planand leave a blessing for you.Then you could give grain offerings and wine offeringsto the Lord your God.
15. Blow the ram’s horn in Zion.Schedule a time to fast.Call for an assembly.
16. Gather the people.Prepare them for a holy meeting.Assemble the leaders.Gather the children, even the nursing infants.Grooms leave their rooms.Brides leave their chambers.
17. The priests who serve the Lord crybetween the altar and the entrance to the temple.They say,“Spare your people, O Lord.Don’t let the people who belong to you become a disgrace.Don’t let the nations ridicule them.Why should people ask, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
18. Then the Lord became concerned about his land,and he had pity on his people.