Joel 2

The Day of Yahweh is Near

1Blow the trumpet in Zion,[#Hebrew “shofar”]

Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,

2A day of darkness and gloom,

like the dawn spreads on the mountains,

There has been nothing like it from old,

3Before them a fire devours,[#Literally “before the presence of it”]

Like the garden of Eden is the land before them,

4Like the appearance of horses is their appearance,

5like the sound of chariots on the tops of the mountains, they leap about;

like a strong army arranged

6From before them nations writhe,[#Or “From in front of it,” or “From the presence of it”]

7They run like mighty warriors,[#That is, the “great and strong army” (see 2:2)]

each goes on its own way,

8They do not jostle one another;[#Literally “each man his brother”]

and through the falling weapons,

9In the city they rush forth;

Into the houses they climb up;

10Before them the earth quakes;[#Literally “Before the presence of it”]

the sun and the moon grow dark,

11And Yahweh utters his voice before his army,[#Literally “gives”]

strong is the one who carries out his decree,

and exceedingly fearful.

A Call to Repentance

12“And even now,” declares Yahweh,[#Literally “a declaration of”]

with fasting, and weeping, and wailing.”

and return to Yahweh your God,

slow to anger and great in loyal love,

14Who knows whether he will turn and relent,

an offering and a libation,

15Blow the trumpet in Zion,[#Hebrew “Shofar”]

16gather the people, consecrate the assembly;

let the bridegroom come out from his private room,

17Between the colonnade and the altar,

And let them say, “Take pity, Yahweh, on your people.

Why should they say among the nations,

The Response and Promise of Yahweh

18Then Yahweh became jealous for his land

19And Yahweh answered and said to his people,

grain, new wine, and olive oil,

I will not give you over any more

20The northerners[#Or “The northern army”]

I will drive them to a desert

its front to the eastern sea,

its stench and odor will rise up

21Do not fear, O land,

22Do not fear, wild animals of the field,

because the tree has produced its fruit,

23Be glad, O children of Zion,

because he has given for you

the autumn and spring rains, as before.

24The threshing floors will be full with grain,

25I will repay you the years

the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,

26And you will eat abundantly and be satisfied,

My people will never be ashamed.

27And you will know that I am in the midst of Israel,

and I am Yahweh,

My people will never be ashamed again.

Yahweh’s Spirit Poured Out

28And it will happen afterward thus:[#Joel 2:28–32 in the English Bible is 3:1–5 in the Hebrew Bible]

and your sons and your daughters will prophesy,

your young men shall see visions.

29And also on the male slaves and on the female slaves,

30And I will set wonders in the heavens, and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.[#Literally “give”]

31The sun will be changed to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh.

32And it will happen—everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be rescued, because on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh said, and among the survivors whom Yahweh is calling.[#Literally, “an escape”]

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