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11 The Lord shouts aloud
as he leads his army.
We cannot count his soldiers.
Those who obey him are very strong.
The day of the Lord is powerful.
It makes us afraid.
Not many of us will be alive after it has gone.[a]

Show the Lord that you are sorry

12 ‘Even now,’ the Lord says,
‘return to me and put me first.
Eat no food. Cry and be very sad.
13 Stop pulling your clothes to pieces. That does not help.
Show me instead that you are really sorry.’
Return to the Lord, your God.
He is kind and full of grace.
He does not quickly become angry, and he is full of love.
He is sad that he had to cause troubles for you.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:11 Joel is telling Israel that the Lord will send a great number of locusts. The locusts will eat the food that is growing in their fields. The insects will march together like an army.

11 The Lord(A) thunders(B)
    at the head of his army;(C)
his forces are beyond number,
    and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the Lord is great;(D)
    it is dreadful.
    Who can endure it?(E)

Rend Your Heart

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return(F) to me with all your heart,(G)
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart(H)
    and not your garments.(I)
Return(J) to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,(K)
slow to anger and abounding in love,(L)
    and he relents from sending calamity.(M)

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