11. The voice of the Lord thunders as he leads his army.Indeed, his warriors are innumerable;Surely his command is carried out! Yes, the day of the Lord is awesomeand very terrifying – who can survive it?
12. “Yet even now,” the Lord says,“return to me with all your heart – with fasting, weeping, and mourning.Tear your hearts,not just your garments!”
13. Return to the Lord your God,for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love – often relenting from calamitous punishment.
14. Who knows? Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve, and leave blessing in his wake – a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the Lord your God!
15. Blow the trumpet in Zion.Announce a holy fast;proclaim a sacred assembly!
16. Gather the people;sanctify an assembly!Gather the elders;gather the children and the nursing infants.Let the bridegroom come out from his bedroomand the bride from her private quarters.
17. Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, weepfrom the vestibule all the way back to the altar.Let them say, “Have pity, O Lord, on your people;please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked,to become a proverb among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,“Where is their God?”
18. Then the Lord became zealous for his land;he had compassion on his people.
19. The Lord responded to his people,“Look! I am about to restore your grainas well as fresh wine and olive oil.You will be fully satisfied.I will never again make you an object of mockery among the nations.
20. I will remove the one from the north far from you.I will drive him out to a dry and desolate place.Those in front will be driven eastward into the Dead Sea,and those in back westward into the Mediterranean Sea.His stench will rise up as a foul smell.”Indeed, the Lord has accomplished great things.
21. Do not fear, my land!Rejoice and be glad,because the Lord has accomplished great things!
22. Do not fear, wild animals!For the pastures of the wilderness are again green with grass.Indeed, the trees bear their fruit;the fig tree and the vine yield to their fullest.