3. The army will destroy the land like a burning fire. In front of them the land will be like the Garden of Eden. Behind them the land will be like an empty desert. Nothing will escape them.
4. They look like horses. They run like war horses.
5. Listen to them. It is like the noise of chariots riding over the mountains. It is like the noise of flames burning the chaff. They are a powerful people, who are ready for war.
6. Before this army, people shake with fear. Their faces become pale from fear.
7. The soldiers run fast. They climb over the walls. Each soldier marches straight ahead. They don’t move from their path.
8. They don’t trip each other. Each soldier walks in his own path. If one of the soldiers is hit and falls down, the others keep right on marching.
9. They run to the city. They quickly climb over the wall. They climb into the houses. They climb through the windows like thieves.
10. Before them, earth and sky shake. The sun and the moon become dark, and the stars stop shining.
11. The Lord calls loudly to his army. His camp is very large. The army obeys his commands. His army is very powerful. The Lord’S special day is a great and terrible day. No one can stop it.
12. This is the Lord’S message: “Now come back to me with all your heart. Cry and mourn, and don’t eat anything! Show that you are sad for doing wrong.
13. Tear your hearts, not your clothes.” Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and merciful. He does not become angry quickly. He has great love. Maybe he will change his mind about the bad punishment he planned.
14. Who knows, maybe he will change his mind and leave behind a blessing for you. Then you can give grain and drink offerings to the Lord your God.
15. Blow the trumpet at Zion. Call for a special meeting. Call for a special time of fasting.
16. Bring the people together. Call for a special meeting. Bring together the old men, the children, and the small babies still at their mothers’ breasts. Let the bride and her new husband come from their bedroom.