Joel 2:1-13 ▼

1 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD {Yowm YHWH} is coming; indeed, it is near—

2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.

3 Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden (pleasure), but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—surely nothing will escape them.

4 Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds (like charioteers).

5 With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.

6 Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.

7 They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.

8 They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.

9 They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.

10 Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

11 The LORD {YHWH} raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?

12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD {YHWH}, “return to Me with all your⁺ heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

13 So rend your⁺ hearts and not your⁺ garments, and return to the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion {chesed}. And He relents from sending disaster.