CHAPTER 2
Blow
the trumpet
in Zion;
sound the alarm
on My holy
mountain!
Let all
who dwell
in the land
tremble,
for
the Day
of the LORD
is coming;
in fact,
it is at hand—
a day
of darkness
and gloom,
a day
of clouds
and blackness.
Like the dawn
overspreading
the mountains
a great
and strong
people appears,
such as
never
was
of
old,
nor will ever be
in ages
to come.
Before them
a fire
devours,
and behind
them a flame
scorches.
The land
before them
is like the Garden
of Eden,
but behind them,
it is like a desert
wasteland—
surely
nothing
will
escape
them.
With a sound like
that of chariots
they bound
over
the mountaintops,
like the crackling
of fire
consuming
stubble,
like a mighty
army
deployed
for battle.
They charge
like mighty men;
they scale
walls
like men
of war.
Each one
marches
in formation,
not
swerving
from the course.
They do not
jostle
one
another;
each man
proceeds
in his column,
as they burst through
the defenses,
never
breaking ranks.
They storm
the city;
they run
along the wall;
they climb
into houses,
entering
through
windows
like thieves.
Before them
the earth
quakes;
the heavens
tremble.
The sun
and moon
grow dark,
and the stars
lose
their brightness.
The LORD
raises
His voice
in the presence
of His army.
Indeed,
His camp
is very
large,
for
mighty are
those who obey
His command.
For
the day of
the LORD
is great
and very
dreadful.
Who
can endure it?
Yet even
now,
declares
the LORD,
return
to Me
with all
your heart,
with fasting,
weeping,
and mourning.
So rend
your hearts
and not
your garments,
and return
to
the LORD
your God.
For
He
is gracious
and compassionate,
slow
to anger,
and abounding
in loving devotion.
And He relents
from
sending disaster.
Who
knows?
He may turn
and relent
and leave
a blessing
behind Him—
grain
and drink offerings
to the LORD
your God.
Gather
the people,
sanctify
the congregation,
assemble
the aged,
gather
the children,
even those nursing
at the breast.
Let the bridegroom
leave
his room,
and the bride
her chamber.
Let the priests
who minister
before the LORD
weep
between
the porch
and the altar,
saying,
“Spare
Your people,
O LORD,
and do not
make
Your heritage
a reproach,
an object of scorn
among the nations.
Why
should they say
among the peoples,
'Where
is their God?'"
And the LORD
answered
His people:
“Behold,
I will send
you
grain,
new wine,
and oil.
And by them
you will be satisfied
and I will no
longer
make you
a reproach
among the nations.
But
the northern army
I will remove far
from you,
banishing it
to
a barren
and desolate
land,
its front
ranks
into the eastern
sea,
and its rear guard
into
the western
sea.
And its stench
will rise;
its foul odor
will go up.
For
He has done
great things.
Do not
be afraid,
O beasts
of the field,
for
the open
pastures
have turned green,
the trees
bear
their fruit,
and the fig tree
and vine
yield
to their fullest.
Be glad,
O children
of Zion,
and rejoice
in the LORD
your God,
for
He has given
you
the autumn rains
for your vindication.
He sends
you
showers,
both autumn
and spring rains,
as before.
I will repay
you
for the years
that
the swarming locusts
have eaten—
the young locust,
the destroying locust,
and the devouring locust—
My great
army
that
I sent
against you.
You will have plenty to eat,
until you are satisfied.
You will praise
the name
of the LORD
your God,
who
has worked
wonders
for you.
My people
will never again
be put to shame.
Then you will know
that
I
am present in
Israel
and that I
am the LORD
your God,
and there is no
other.
My people
will never again
be put to shame.
And
afterward,
I will pour out
My Spirit
on
all
people.
Your sons
and daughters
will prophesy,
your old
men will dream dreams,
your young men
will see
visions.
The sun
will be turned
to darkness
and the moon
to blood
before
the coming
of the great
and awesome
day
of the LORD.
And
everyone
who
calls
on the name
of the LORD
will be saved,
for
on Mount
Zion
and in Jerusalem
there will be
deliverance,
as
the LORD
promised,
among the remnant
called
by the LORD.