Joel 2

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain ; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains ; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them , even to the years of many generations.

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale .

They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks .

Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path ; and they burst through the weapons , and break not off `their course' .

They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall ; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.

The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble ; the sun and the moon are darkened , and the stars withdraw their shining .

And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army ; for his camp is very great ; for he is strong that executeth his word ; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Yet even now, saith Jehovah , turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God ; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness , and repenteth him of the evil.

Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him , even a meal- offering and a drink - offering unto Jehovah your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly ;

gather the people, sanctify the assembly , assemble the old men , gather the children, and those that suck the breasts ; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah , weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah , and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples , Where is their God?

Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain , and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith ; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;

but I will remove far off from you the northern ` army ' , and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea ; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.

Fear not, O land , be glad and rejoice ; for Jehovah hath done great things.

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field ; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig - tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God ; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure , and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain , in the first ` month ' .

And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm , and the caterpillar , and the palmer-worm , my great army which I sent among you.

And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you ; and my people shall never be put to shame .

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else ; and my people shall never be put to shame .

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth : blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh .

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered ; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape , as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.