14. Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to youand leave behind a blessing for you.Grain and drink offerings belong to the Lord your God.
15. Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem;call for a day when everyone fasts.Tell everyone to stop work.
16. Bring the people togetherand make the meeting holy for the Lord.Bring together the elders,as well as the children,and even babies that still feed at their mothers’ breasts.The bridegroom should come from his room,the bride from her bedroom.
17. The priests, the Lord’s servants, should crybetween the altar and the 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 landand felt sorry for his people.
19. He said to them:“I will send you grain, new wine, and olive oil,so that you will have plenty.No more will I shame youamong the nations.
20. I will force the army from the north to leave your landand go into a dry, empty land.Their soldiers in front will be forced into the Dead Sea,and those in the rear into the Mediterranean Sea.Their bodies will rot and stink.The Lord has surely done a wonderful thing!”
21. Land, don’t be afraid;be happy and full of joy,because the Lord has done a wonderful thing.
22. Wild animals, don’t be afraid,because the open pastures have grown grass.The trees have given fruit;the fig trees and the grapevines have grown much fruit.