2. A day of darkness and thick darkness, A day of cloud and thick darkness, As darkness spread on the mountains, A people numerous and mighty, Like it there hath not been from of old, And after it there is not again--till the years of generation and generation.
3. Before it consumed hath fire, And after it burn doth a flame, As the garden of Eden [is] the land before it, And after it a wilderness--a desolation! And also an escape there hath not been to it,
4. As the appearance of horses [is] its appearance, And as horsemen, so they run.
5. As the noise of chariots, on the tops of the mountains they skip, As the noise of a flame of fire devouring stubble, As a mighty people set in array for battle.
6. From its face pained are peoples, All faces have gathered paleness.
7. As mighty ones they run, As men of war they go up a wall, And each in his own ways they do go, And they embarrass not their paths.
8. And each his brother they press not, Each in his way they go on, If by the missile they fall, they are not cut off.
9. In the city they run to and fro, On the wall they run, Into houses they go up by the windows, They go in as a thief.
10. At their face trembled hath the earth, Shaken have the heavens, Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
11. And Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His force, For very great [is] His camp, For mighty [is] the doer of His word, For great [is] the day of Jehovah--very fearful, And who doth bear it?
12. And also now--an affirmation of Jehovah, Turn ye back unto Me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, And with lamentation.
13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn back unto Jehovah your God, For gracious and merciful [is] He, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, And He hath repented concerning the evil.
14. Who knoweth--He doth turn back, Yea--He hath repented, And He hath left behind Him a blessing, A present and libation of Jehovah your God?
15. Blow ye a trumpet in Zion, Sanctify a fast--proclaim a restraint.