16. gather the people. Consecrate the congregation;assemble the elders; gather the children,even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room,and the bride her chamber.
17. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weepand say, “Spare your people, O Lord,and make not your heritage a reproach,a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples,‘Where is their God?’”
18. Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.
19. The Lord answered and said to his people,“Behold, I am sending to yougrain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied;and I will no more make youa reproach among the nations.
20. “I will remove the northerner far from you,and drive him into a parched and desolate land,his vanguard into the eastern sea,and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise,for he has done great things.