3:1 (4:1) 1 For look! In those 2 days and at that time
I will return the exiles 3 to Judah and Jerusalem. 4
3:2 Then I will gather all the nations,
and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. 5
I will enter into judgment 6 against them there
concerning my people Israel who are my inheritance, 7
whom they scattered among the nations.
They partitioned my land,
3:3 and they cast lots for my people.
They traded 8 a boy for a prostitute;
they sold a little girl for wine so they could drink. 9
3:4 Why are you doing these things to me, Tyre and Sidon? 10
Are you trying to get even with me, land of Philistia? 11
I will very quickly repay you for what you have done! 12
3:5 For you took my silver and my gold
and brought my precious valuables to your own palaces. 13
3:6 You sold Judeans and Jerusalemites to the Greeks,
removing them far from their own country. 14
3:7 Look! I am rousing them from that place to which you sold them.
I will repay you for what you have done! 15
3:8 I will sell your sons and daughters to 16 the people of Judah. 17
They will sell them to the Sabeans, 18 a nation far away.
Indeed, the Lord has spoken!
3:9 Proclaim this among the nations:
“Prepare for a holy war!
Call out the warriors!
Let all these fighting men approach and attack! 19
3:10 Beat your plowshares 20 into swords,
and your pruning hooks 21 into spears! 22
Let the weak say, ‘I too am a warrior!’ 23
3:11 Lend your aid 24 and come,
all you surrounding nations,
and gather yourselves 25 to that place.”
Bring down, O Lord, your warriors! 26
3:12 Let the nations be roused and let them go up
to the valley of Jehoshaphat,
for there I will sit in judgment on all the surrounding nations.
3:13 Rush forth with 27 the sickle, for the harvest is ripe!
Come, stomp the grapes, 28 for the winepress is full!
The vats overflow.
Indeed, their evil is great! 29
3:14 Crowds, great crowds are in the valley of decision,
for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision! 30
3:15 The sun and moon are darkened;
the stars withhold 31 their brightness.