6 People are terrified in their presence.
Every face turns pale.
7 They run like warriors.
They climb walls like soldiers.
They march straight ahead.
They do not leave their places.
8 They do not crowd one another.
They keep in their own lines.
Even when they break through the defenses, they do not break their ranks.
9 They rush into the city.
They run along the wall.
They climb into houses.
They enter through windows like thieves.
10 The earth quakes in their presence, and the sky shakes.
The sun and the moon turn dark, and the stars no longer shine.
11 Yahweh shouts out orders to his army.
His forces are very large.
The troops that carry out his commands are mighty.
The day of Yahweh is extremely terrifying.
Who can endure it?
The LORD Invites the People to Return to Him 12 "But even now," declares Yahweh, "return to me with all your heart- with fasting, crying, and mourning."
13 Tear your hearts, not your clothes.
Return to Yahweh your Elohim.
He is merciful and compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive and to change his plans about disaster.
14 Who knows?
He may reconsider and change his plan and leave a blessing for you.
Then you could give grain offerings and wine offerings to Yahweh your Elohim.
15 Blow the ram's horn in Zion.
Schedule a time to fast.
Call for an assembly.
16 Gather the people.
Prepare them for a holy meeting.
Assemble the leaders.
Gather the children, even the nursing infants.
Grooms leave their rooms.
Brides leave their chambers.
17 The priests who serve Yahweh cry between the altar and the entrance to the temple.
They say, "Spare your people, O Yahweh.
Don't let the people who belong to you become a disgrace.
Don't let the nations ridicule them.
Why should people ask, 'Where is their Elohim?'"
The LORD Will Give Earthly Blessings to His People 18 Then Yahweh became concerned about his land, and he had pity on his people.
19 Yahweh said to his people, "I am going to send grain, new wine, and olive oil to you.
You will be satisfied with them.
I will no longer make you a disgrace among the nations.
20 "I will keep the northern army far from you, and I will force it into a dry and barren land.
The soldiers in front will be forced into the eastern sea.
The soldiers in back will be forced into the western sea.
A foul odor will rise from the dead bodies.
They will stink."
He has done great things!
21 Land, do not be afraid.
Be glad and rejoice.
Yahweh has done great things!
22 Wild animals, do not be afraid.
The pastures in the wilderness have turned green.
The trees have produced their fruit.
There are plenty of figs and grapes.
23 People of Zion, be glad and find joy in Yahweh your Elohim.
Yahweh has given you the Teacher of Righteousness.a He has sent the autumn rain and the spring rain as before.
24 The threshing floorsb will be filled with grain.
The vats will overflow with new wine and olive oil.
25 "Then I will repay you for the years that the mature locusts, the adult locusts, the grasshoppers, and the young locusts ate your crops.
(They are the large army that I sent against you.) 26 You will have plenty to eat, and you will be full.
You will praise the name of Yahweh your Elohim, who has performed miracles for you.
My people will never be ashamed again.
27 You will know that I am in Israel.
I am Yahweh your Elohim , and there is no other.
My people will never be ashamed again.a The LORD Will Pour His Spirit on All People 28 "After this, I will pour my Ruach on everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams.
Your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour my Ruach on servants, on both men and women.
30 I will work miracles in the sky and on the earth: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke.
31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will become as red as blood before the terrifying day of Yahweh comes."
32 Then whoever calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved.
Those who escape will be on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.
Among the survivors will be those whom Yahweh calls, as Yahweh has promised.
The LORD Will Rescue His People 3 b1 "In those days and at that time, I will bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem.
2 I will gather all the nations.
I will bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.c I will judge them there.
They scattered the Israelites, the people who belong to me, among the nations.
They divided my land.
3 They threw dice for my people.
They traded boys for prostitutes.
They sold girls so that they could buy wine to drink.
4 "Now what do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and all the regions of Philistia?
Are you paying me back for something I have done?
If you are paying me back, I will quickly pay you back for what you have done.
5 You took my silver and my gold.
You brought my finest treasures to your temples.
6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks.
That way you could send them far away from their land.
7 I am going to make them leave the place where you sold them.
I will pay you back for what you have done.
8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah.
They will sell them to the people of Sheba, a nation that is far away."
Yahweh has spoken.
9 Announce this among the nations: Prepare yourselves for war.
Wake up the warriors.