19.2 Fast By Returning To God

(Joel 2:11-17)

The Lord thunders commands to his army.
The troops that obey him are many and mighty.
How terrible is the day of the Lord!
Who will survive it?

“But even now,” says the Lord,
“repent sincerely and return to me
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Let your broken heart show your sorrow;
tearing your clothes is not enough.”

Come back to the Lord your God.
He is kind and full of mercy;
he is patient and keeps his promise;
he is always ready to forgive and not punish.
Perhaps the Lord your God will change his mind
and bless you with abundant corps.
Then you can offer him grain and wine.
Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion;
give orders for a fast and call an assembly!
Gather the people together;
prepare them for a sacred meeting;
bring the old people;
gather the children and the babies too.
Even newly married couples must leave their homes
and come.
The priests, serving the Lord between the altar
and the entrance of the Temple,
must weep and pray:
“Have pity on your people, Lord.
Do not let other nations despise us and mock us
by saying, ‘Where is your God?’”