1. Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem.Shout a warning on my holy mountain.Let all the people who live in the land shake with fear.The Lord’s day of judging is coming.The Lord’s day of judging is near.
2. It will be a dark, gloomy day.It will be a cloudy and black day.Like the light at sunrise,the great and powerful army will spread over the mountains.There has never been anything like it before.And there will never be anything like it again.
3. The army destroys the landlike a burning fire.The land in front of them is like the garden of Eden.The land behind them is 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 chariotsrumbling over the mountains.It is like the noise of crackling flamesburning dry stalks.They are like a powerful army lined up for battle.
6. Before this army, nations shake with fear.Their faces become pale.
7. The army charges ahead like soldiers.They climb over the walls like warriors.They all march straight ahead.They do not move off their path.
8. They do not run into each other.Each one walks in line.They charge through all efforts to stop themand stay in line.
9. They run into the city.They run along the tops of the walls.They climb into the houses.They enter through windows like a thief.
10. Before them, earth and sky shake.The sun and the moon become dark,and the stars stop shining.
11. The Lord calls out orders loudlyas he leads his army.That army obeys his commands.It is very large and powerful.The Lord’s day of judgingis an overwhelming and terrible day.No one can stand up against it.
12. The Lord says, “Now, come back to me with all your heart.Go without food, and cry and be sad.”
13. Tearing your clothes is not enough to show you are sad.Let your heart be broken.Come back to the Lord your God.He is kind and shows mercy.He doesn’t become angry quickly.He has great love.He would rather forgive than punish.
14. Who knows? Maybe the Lord will change his mindand leave behind a blessing for you.Then you may give grain and drink offeringsto the Lord your God.
15. Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem.Call for a special time of going without food.Call for a special meeting.