Joel 2:16-18

New Century Version

¹⁶ Bring the people together
    and make the meeting holy for the Lord.
Bring together the elders,
    as well as the children,
    and even babies that still feed at their mothers’ breasts.
The bridegroom should come from his room,
    the bride from her bedroom.
¹⁷ The priests, the Lord’s servants, should cry
    between the altar and the entrance to the Temple.
They should say, “Lord, have mercy on your people.
    Don’t let them be put to shame;
    don’t let other nations make fun of them.
Don’t let people in other nations ask,
    ‘Where is their God?’”

¹⁸ Then the Lord became concerned about his land
    and felt sorry for his people.