5
As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle.
6
Before them peoples are in anguish, all faces grow pale.
7
Like warriors they charge, like soldiers they scale the wall. Each keeps to its own course, they do not swerve from their paths.
8
They do not jostle one another, each keeps to its own track; they burst through the weapons and are not halted.
9
They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls; they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.
10
The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
11
The Lord utters his voice at the head of his army; how vast is his host! Numberless are those who obey his command. Truly the day of the Lord is great; terrible indeed—who can endure it?
12
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13
rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
14
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, 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 aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.
17
Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, "Where is their God?' "
18
Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.
19
In response to his people the Lord said: I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a mockery among the nations.
20
I will remove the northern army far from you, and drive it into a parched and desolate land, its front into the eastern sea, and its rear into the western sea; its stench and foul smell will rise up. Surely he has done great things!
21
Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
22
Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield.
23
O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before.
24
The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25
I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you.
26
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
