Joel 2:11-13
Easy-to-Read Version
11 The Lord calls loudly to his army.
His camp is very large.
The army obeys his commands.
His army is very powerful.
The Lord’s special day is a great and terrible day.
No one can stop it.
The Lord Tells the People to Change
12 This is the Lord’s message:
“Now come back to me with all your heart.
Cry and mourn, and don’t eat anything!
Show that you are sad for doing wrong.
13 Tear your hearts,
not your clothes.[a]”
Come back to the Lord your God.
He is kind and merciful.
He does not become angry quickly.
He has great love.
Maybe he will change his mind
about the bad punishment he planned.
Footnotes
- Joel 2:13 Tear your hearts, not your clothes People tore their clothes to show sadness. Here, God wants the people to feel sad for the bad things they had done.
Joel 2:11-13
New International Version
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
Joel 2:11-13
King James Version
11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
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