Joel 2
1
Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the
inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of YHWH comes, for it is nigh at hand;
2
a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn
spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the
like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
3
A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden
of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none has escaped
them.
4
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they
run.
5
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise
of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6
At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.
7
They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every
one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
8
Neither does one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst
through the weapons, and break not off [their course].
9
They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they
enter in at the windows like a thief.
10
The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.
11
And YHWH utters his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong
that executes his word; for the day of YHWH is great and very terrible; and who can
abide it?
12
Yet even now, says YHWH, turn you to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and
with weeping, and with mourning:
13
and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to YHWH your God; for he is gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repents him of the
evil.
14
Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even
a meal-offering and a drink-offering to YHWH your God?
15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
16
gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children,
and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and
the bride out of her closet.
17
Let the priests, the ministers of YHWH, weep between the porch and the altar, and
let them say, Spare your people, O YHWH, and give not your heritage to reproach, that
the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where
is their God?
18
Then was YHWH jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.
19
And YHWH answered and said to his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine,
and oil, and you shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach
among the nations;
20
but I will remove far off from you the northern [army], and will drive it into a land
barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the
western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because
it has done great things.
21
Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for YHWH has done great things.
22
Be not afraid, you beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring,
for the tree bears its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23
Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in YHWH your God; for he gives you
the former rain in just measure, and he causes to come down for you the rain, the
former rain and the latter rain, in the first [month].
24
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and
oil.
25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the canker-worm, and
the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
26
And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of YHWH your
God, that has dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.
27
And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YHWH your God,
and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.
28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions:
29
and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my
Spirit.
30
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars
of smoke.
31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and
terrible day of YHWH comes.
32
And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered;
for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as YHWH has said,
and among the remnant those whom YHWH does call.