Joel 2:16-18

International Standard Version

¹⁶ Gather the people!
    Dedicate the congregation!
Bring in the elders.
    Gather the youngsters
        and even the nursing infants.
Call the bridegroom from his wedding preparations,^[a]
    and the bride from her dressing room.
¹⁷ As they serve^[b] between the porch and the altar,
    let the priests and ministers of the Lord weep and pray:
‘Spare your people, Lord,
    and do not make your heritage a disgrace
        so that nations ridicule them.
Why should they say among the people,
    “Where is their God?”’”

¹⁸ Then the Lord will show great concern for his land,
    and will have compassion on his people.