Jl 2:12-20
12Yet even now—oracle of the LORD—
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God,
For he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,
and relenting in punishment.h
14Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind a blessing,*
Grain offering and libation
for the LORD, your God.i
15Blow the horn in Zion!
Proclaim a fast,
call an assembly!j
16Gather the people,
sanctify the congregation;
Assemble the elderly;
gather the children,
even infants nursing at the breast;
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride* her bridal tent.
17Between the porch and the altar*
let the priests weep,
let the ministers of the LORD weep and say:
“Spare your people, LORD!
do not let your heritage become a disgrace,
a byword among the nations!
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”k
The Lord Relents. 18Then the LORD grew jealous* for his land and took pity on his people. 19In response the LORD said to his people:
I am sending you
grain, new wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied by them;
Never again will I make you
a disgrace among the nations.
20The northerner* I will remove far from you,
driving them out into a dry and desolate land,
Their vanguard to the eastern sea,
their rearguard to the western sea,
And their stench will rise,
their stink will ascend,
What great deeds the Lord has done!