9. They swarm over the cityand run along its walls.They enter all the houses,climbing like thieves through the windows.
10. The earth quakes as they advance,and the heavens tremble.The sun and moon grow dark,and the stars no longer shine.
11. The lord is at the head of the column.He leads them with a shout.This is his mighty army,and they follow his orders.The day of the lord is an awesome, terrible thing.Who can possibly survive?
12. That is why the lord says,“Turn to me now, while there is time.Give me your hearts.Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,but tear your hearts instead.”Return to the lord your God,for he is merciful and compassionate,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.He is eager to relent and not punish.
14. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,sending you a blessing instead of this curse.Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wineto the lord your God as before.
15. Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem!Announce a time of fasting;call the people togetherfor a solemn meeting.
16. Gather all the people—the elders, the children, and even the babies.Call the bridegroom from his quartersand the bride from her private room.
17. Let the priests, who minister in the lord’s presence,stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar.Let them pray, “Spare your people, lord!Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery.Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say,‘Has the God of Israel left them?’”
18. Then the lord will pity his peopleand jealously guard the honor of his land.
19. The lord will reply,“Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil,enough to satisfy your needs.You will no longer be an object of mockeryamong the surrounding nations.
20. I will drive away these armies from the north.I will send them into the parched wastelands.Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea,and those at the rear into the Mediterranean.The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.”Surely the lord has done great things!
21. Don’t be afraid, O land.Be glad now and rejoice,for the lord has done great things.
22. Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,for the wilderness pastures will soon be green.The trees will again be filled with fruit;fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.
23. Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!Rejoice in the lord your God!For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.Once more the autumn rains will come,as well as the rains of spring.
24. The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.