Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem; shout a warning on my holy mountain. Let all the people who live in the land shake with fear, because the LORD’s day of judging is coming; it is near. It will be a dark, gloomy day, cloudy and black. Like the light at sunrise, a great and powerful army will spread over the mountains. There has never been anything like it before, and there will never be anything like it again.

The LORD says, “Even now, come back to me with all your heart. Fast, cry, and be sad.” Tearing your clothes is not enough to show you are sad; let your heart be broken. Come back to the LORD your God, because he is kind and shows mercy. He doesn’t become angry quickly, and he has great love. He can change his mind about doing harm. Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to you and leave behind a blessing for you. Grain and drink offerings belong to the LORD your God. Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem; call for a day when everyone fasts. Tell everyone to stop work. Bring the people together and make the meeting holy for the LORD. Bring together the elders, as well as the children, and even babies that still feed at their mothers’ breasts. The bridegroom should come from his room, the bride from her bedroom. The priests, the LORD’s servants, should cry between the altar and the entrance to the Temple. They should say, “LORD, have mercy on your people. Don’t let them be put to shame; don’t let other nations make fun of them. Don’t let people in other nations ask, ‘Where is their God?’ ”

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