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11 The Lord will shout in the presence of his forces,
    because his encampment is very great;
for powerful is he who carries out his message.
    Truly the Day of the Lord is great, and very terrifying.
        Who will be able to survive[a] it?”

Repentance and Restoration

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
    “Turn back to me with your whole heart,
        with fasting, tears, and mourning.
13 Tear your hearts, not your garments;[b]
    and turn back to the Lord your God.
For he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to become angry,
overflowing in gracious love,
    and grieves about this evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Joel 2:11 Or comprehend
  2. Joel 2:13 An allusion to Heb. custom of tearing the outer clothing in response to mourning

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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