3. Before them fire devours,and behind them a flame blazes;the land is like the garden of Eden before them,but behind them a desolate wasteland,and nothing escapes them.
4. They have the appearance of horses,and like cavalry they run.
5. As with the sound of chariots,they leap on the mountaintops,as with the sound of a flame of fire consuming stubble,as a mighty army arrayed for war.
6. Before them, peoples are tormented;every face turns pale.
7. Like mighty men they run,like men of war they scale a wall;each marches on his way,they do not swerve from their paths.
8. They do not jostle one another;each marches in his track.Through the weapons they plunge;they do not break rank.
9. They rush on the city,they run on the wall;they climb up into the houses,they enter through the windows like thieves.
10. Before them the earth quakes,the heavens shake;the sun and moon darken,and the stars withdraw their radiance.
11. The Lord has sounded His voicebefore His army,for His camp is exceedingly great;mighty is the one who accomplishes His word.For great is the day of the Lord,and very awe-inspiring.Who can endure it?
12. Yet even now, declares the Lord,return to Me with all your heart,and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning.
13. Rend your heart,and not your garments;return to the Lord your God,for He is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;and He relents from punishing.
14. Who knows? He might turn aside and relent,and He might leave behind a blessing—a grain offering and a food offeringfor the Lord your God.
15. Blow the ram’s horn in Zion,consecrate a fast,call a sacred assembly.