2:11 The voice of the Lord thunders 1 as he leads his army. 2
Indeed, his warriors 3 are innumerable; 4
Surely his command is carried out! 5
Yes, the day of the Lord is awesome 6
and very terrifying – who can survive 7 it?
2:12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says,
“return to me with all your heart –
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Tear your hearts, 8
not just your garments!”
2:13 Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to anger and boundless in loyal love 9 – often relenting from calamitous punishment. 10
2:14 Who knows?
Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve, 11
and leave blessing in his wake 12 –
a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the Lord your God! 13
2:15 Blow the trumpet 14 in Zion.
Announce a holy fast;
proclaim a sacred assembly!
2:16 Gather the people;
sanctify an assembly!
Gather the elders;
gather the children and the nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom come out from his bedroom
and the bride from her private quarters. 15
2:17 Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, weep
from the vestibule all the way back to the altar. 16
Let them say, “Have pity, O Lord, on your people;
please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked,
to become a proverb 17 among the nations.
Why should it be said 18 among the peoples,
“Where is their God?”
2:18 Then the Lord became 19 zealous for his land;
he had compassion on his people.