16. Gather the people;sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children,even those nursing at the breast.Let the groom leave his bedroom, and the bride her honeymoon chamber.
17. Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say:“Have pity on Your people, Lord, and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, an object of scorn among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,‘Where is their God? ’ ”
18. Then the Lord became jealous for His land and spared His people.
19. The Lord answered His people:Look, I am about to send yougrain, new wine, and olive oil. You will be satiated with them,and I will no longer make youa disgrace among the nations.
20. I will drive the northerner far from you and banish him to a dry and desolate land,his front ranks into the Dead Sea, and his rear guard into the Mediterranean Sea. His stench will rise;yes, his rotten smell will rise, for he has done catastrophic things.
21. Don’t be afraid, land; rejoice and be glad,for the Lord has done great things.
22. Don’t be afraid, wild animals,for the wilderness pastures have turned green, the trees bear their fruit,and the fig tree and grapevine yield their riches.
23. Children of Zion, rejoice and be gladin the Lord your God, because He gives you the autumn rainfor your vindication. He sends showers for you,both autumn and spring rain as before.
24. The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflowwith new wine and olive oil.