16. Bring the people together.Make the meeting holy for the Lord.Bring together the elders.Bring together the children,even babies that still feed at their mothers’ breasts.The bridegroom should come from his room.The bride should come from her bedroom.
17. The priests, the Lord’s servants, should cry.They should cry between the altar and entrance to the Temple.They should say, “Lord, have mercy on your people.Don’t let them be put to shame.Don’t let other nations make fun of them.Don’t let people in other nations ask,‘Where is their God?’”
18. Then the Lord became concerned about his land.He felt sorry for his people.
19. The Lord said to them:“I will send you grain, wine and olive oil.You will have plenty.No more will I shame youamong the nations.
20. I will force the army from the north to leave your land.I will force them into a dry, empty land.Their soldiers in front will be forced into the Dead Sea.And those in the rear will be forced into the Mediterranean Sea.Their bodies will rot and stinkbecause they did horrible things.”