Joel 2 (TRV)

From Textus Receptus

• 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion all of you, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; because the day of the Lord is coming, because it is near at hand:
• 2 A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread upon the mountains; a great and a strong people, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any like it after them, for the years of many generations.
• 3 A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns; the land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing will escape them.
• 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like horsemen, so will they run.
• 5 Like a noise of chariots over the tops of mountains they will leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, like a strong people set in battle array.
• 3 A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns; the land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing will escape them.
• 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like horsemen, so will they run.
• 5 Like a noise of chariots over their tops of mountains they will leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, like a strong people set in battle array.
• 6 Before their faces, the people will be in pain; all faces will gather blackness.
• 7 They will run like mighty men, they will climb the wall like men of war; and they will march every one on his way, and they do not break ranks.
• 8 Neither will one push upon another; they will walk every one in his path, and when they fall upon the sword, they will not be wounded.
• 9 They will run to and fro in the city, they will run on the wall; they will climb upon the houses, they will enter at the windows like a thief.
• 10 The earth will quake before them, the heavens will tremble; the sun and moon will become dark, and the stars will withdraw their brightness
• 11 The LORD will utter His voice before His army, because His camp is very great; because, strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?
• 12 “Also now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn yourselves to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
• 13 And rend your heart, and not your clothing; return to the LORD your God, because, He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He repents from doing harm.
• 14 Who knows if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him, even a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?
• 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
• 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those who suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her room.
• 17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
• 18 Then the LORD will be jealous for His land, and pity His people.
• 19 Yes, the LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain, grape juice, and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the heathen.
• 20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army, and will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, with his face toward the east sea and his back toward the furthest sea; his stench will come up, and his foul odor will rise, because he has done terrible things.”
• 21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, because the LORD has done great things.
• 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; because the wilderness pasture springs up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
• 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; because He has given you the former rain adequately, and He will cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
• 24 And the threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with grape juice and oil.