7. They charge like warriors;they scale walls like soldiers.Each one proceeds on his course;they do not alter their path.
8. They do not jostle one another; each of them marches straight ahead.They burst through the city defensesand do not break ranks.
9. They rush into the city;they scale its walls.They climb up into the houses;they go in through the windows like a thief.
10. The earth quakes before them;the sky reverberates.The sun and the moon grow dark; the stars refuse to shine.
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?”