Bible (World English)/Joel

Chapter 1
The Word of Yahweh that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel.

 Hear this, you elders, 
 * And listen, all you inhabitants of the land.


 * Has this ever happened in your days,
 * or in the days of your fathers?

 Tell your children about it, 
 * and have your children tell their children,
 * and their children, another generation.

''' What the swarming locust has left, the great locust has eaten. '''
 * What the great locust has left, the grasshopper has eaten.
 * What the grasshopper has left, the caterpillar has eaten.

''' Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! '''
 * Wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine;
 * for it is cut off from your mouth.

''' For a nation has come up on my land, strong, and without number. '''
 * His teeth are the teeth of a lion,
 * and he has the fangs of a lioness.

 He has laid my vine waste, 
 * and stripped my fig tree.
 * He has stripped its bark, and thrown it away.
 * Its branches are made white.

''' Mourn like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the husband of her youth! ''' ''' <section begin=1:9/>The meal offering and the drink offering are cut off from Yahweh’s house. '''
 * The priests, Yahweh’s ministers, mourn.

'''<section end=1:9/> <section begin=1:10/>The field is laid waste. '''
 * The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed,
 * The new wine has dried up,
 * and the oil languishes.

'''<section end=1:10/> <section begin=1:11/>Be confounded, you farmers! '''
 * Wail, you vineyard keepers;
 * for the wheat and for the barley;
 * for the harvest of the field has perished.

<section end=1:11/> <section begin=1:12/>The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; 
 * the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree,
 * even all of the trees of the field are withered;
 * for joy has withered away from the sons of men.

'''<section end=1:12/> <section begin=1:13/>Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests! '''
 * Wail, you ministers of the altar.


 * Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you ministers of my [#N2 God],
 * for the meal offering and the drink offering are withheld from your God’s house.

'''<section end=1:13/> <section begin=1:14/>Sanctify a fast. '''
 * Call a solemn assembly.
 * Gather the elders,
 * and all the inhabitants of the land, to the house of Yahweh, your God,
 * and cry to Yahweh.

'''<section end=1:14/> <section begin=1:15/>Alas for the day! '''
 * For the day of Yahweh is at hand,
 * and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

<section end=1:15/> <section begin=1:16/>Isn’t the food cut off before our eyes; 
 * joy and gladness from the house of our God?

'''<section end=1:16/> <section begin=1:17/>The seeds rot under their clods. '''
 * The granaries are laid desolate.
 * The barns are broken down, for the grain has withered.

'''<section end=1:17/> <section begin=1:18/>How the animals groan! '''
 * The herds of livestock are perplexed, because they have no pasture.
 * Yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

<section end=1:18/> <section begin=1:19/>Yahweh, I cry to you, 
 * For the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness,
 * and the flame has burned all the trees of the field.

<section end=1:19/> <section begin=1:20/>Yes, the animals of the field pant to you, 
 * for the water brooks have dried up,
 * And the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.



<section end=1:20/>

Chapter 2
<section begin=2:1/>: and sound an alarm in my holy mountain!
 * Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
 * for the day of Yahweh comes,
 * for it is close at hand:

<section end=2:1/> <section begin=2:2/>A day of darkness and gloominess, 
 * a day of clouds and thick darkness.


 * As the dawn spreading on the mountains,
 * a great and strong people;
 * there has never been the like,
 * neither will there be any more after them,
 * even to the years of many generations.

<section end=2:2/> <section begin=2:3/>A fire devours before them, 
 * and behind them, a flame burns.


 * The land is as the garden of Eden before them,
 * and behind them, a desolate wilderness.

<section end=2:3/> <section begin=2:4/>The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, 
 * Yes, and no one has escaped them.
 * and as horsemen, so do they run.

<section end=2:4/> <section begin=2:5/>Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, 
 * like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble,
 * as a strong people set in battle array.

'''<section end=2:5/> <section begin=2:6/>At their presence the peoples are in anguish. '''
 * All faces have grown pale.

'''<section end=2:6/> <section begin=2:7/>They run like mighty men. '''
 * They climb the wall like warriors.
 * They each march in his line, and they don’t swerve off course.

<section end=2:7/> <section begin=2:8/>Neither does one jostle another; 
 * they march everyone in his path,
 * and they burst through the defenses,
 * and don’t break ranks.

'''<section end=2:8/> <section begin=2:9/>They rush on the city. '''
 * They run on the wall.
 * They climb up into the houses.
 * They enter in at the windows like thieves.

'''<section end=2:9/> <section begin=2:10/>The earth quakes before them. '''
 * The heavens tremble.
 * The sun and the moon are darkened,
 * and the stars withdraw their shining.

<section end=2:10/> <section begin=2:11/>Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; 
 * for his forces are very great;
 * for he is strong who obeys his command;
 * for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome,
 * and who can endure it?

<section end=2:11/> <section begin=2:12/>“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, 
 * and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”

<section end=2:12/> <section begin=2:13/>Tear your heart, and not your garments, 
 * and turn to Yahweh, your God;
 * for he is gracious and merciful,
 * slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness,
 * and relents from sending calamity.

'''<section end=2:13/> <section begin=2:14/>Who knows? He may turn and relent, '''
 * and leave a blessing behind him,
 * even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.

'''<section end=2:14/> <section begin=2:15/>Blow the trumpet in Zion! '''
 * Sanctify a fast.
 * Call a solemn assembly.

'''<section end=2:15/> <section begin=2:16/>Gather the people. '''
 * Sanctify the assembly.
 * Assemble the elders.
 * Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts.


 * Let the bridegroom go forth from his room,
 * and the bride out of her chamber.

<section end=2:16/> <section begin=2:17/>Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, 
 * and let them say, “Spare your people, Yahweh,
 * and don’t give your heritage to reproach,
 * that the nations should rule over them.


 * Why should they say among the peoples,
 * ‘Where is their God?’”

<section end=2:17/> <section begin=2:18/>Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, 
 * And had pity on his people.

<section end=2:18/> <section begin=2:19/>Yahweh answered his people, 
 * “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil,
 * and you will be satisfied with them;
 * and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

<section end=2:19/> <section begin=2:20/>But I will remove the northern army far away from you,
 * and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,
 * its front into the eastern sea,
 * and its back into the western sea;
 * and its stench will come up,
 * and its bad smell will rise.”

'''<section end=2:20/> <section begin=2:21/>Land, don’t be afraid. '''
 * Surely he has done great things.
 * Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done great things.

<section end=2:21/> <section begin=2:22/>Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field; 
 * for the pastures of the wilderness spring up,
 * for the tree bears its fruit.
 * The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

<section end=2:22/> <section begin=2:23/>“Be glad then, you children of Zion, 
 * and rejoice in Yahweh, your God;
 * for he gives you the former rain in just measure,
 * and he causes the rain to come down for you,
 * the former rain and the latter rain,
 * as before.

<section end=2:23/> <section begin=2:24/>The threshing floors will be full of wheat,
 * and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

<section end=2:24/> <section begin=2:25/>I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, 
 * the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar,
 * my great army, which I sent among you.

<section end=2:25/> <section begin=2:26/>You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied, 
 * and will praise the name of Yahweh, your God,
 * who has dealt wondrously with you;
 * and my people will never again be disappointed.

<section end=2:26/> <section begin=2:27/>You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, 
 * and that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else;
 * and my people will never again be disappointed.

<section end=2:27/> <section begin=2:28/>“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; 
 * and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
 * Your old men will dream dreams.
 * Your young men will see visions.

<section end=2:28/> <section begin=2:29/>And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, 
 * I will pour out my Spirit.

<section end=2:29/> <section begin=2:30/>I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: 
 * blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.

<section end=2:30/> <section begin=2:31/>The sun will be turned into darkness, 
 * and the moon into blood,
 * before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.

<section end=2:31/> <section begin=2:32/>It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved; 
 * for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape,
 * as Yahweh has said,
 * and among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls.



<section end=2:32/>

Chapter 3
<section begin=3:1/>: and in that time,
 * when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

<section end=3:1/> <section begin=3:2/>I will gather all nations, 
 * and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat;
 * and I will execute judgment on them there for my people,
 * and for my heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations.
 * They have divided my land,
 * <section end=3:2/> <section begin=3:3/>and have cast lots for my people,
 * and have given a boy for a prostitute,
 * and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.

<section end=3:3/> <section begin=3:4/>“Yes, and what are you to me, Tyre, and Sidon, 
 * and all the regions of Philistia?


 * Will you repay me?
 * And if you repay me,
 * I will swiftly and speedily return your repayment on your own head.

<section end=3:4/> <section begin=3:5/>Because you have taken my silver and my gold, 
 * and have carried my finest treasures into your temples,
 * <section end=3:5/> <section begin=3:6/>and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the sons of the Greeks,
 * that you may remove them far from their border.

<section end=3:6/> <section begin=3:7/>Behold, I will stir them up out of the place where you have sold them, 
 * and will return your repayment on your own head;

<section end=3:7/> <section begin=3:8/>and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Judah, 
 * and they will sell them to the men of Sheba,
 * to a faraway nation,
 * for Yahweh has spoken it.”

<section end=3:8/> <section begin=3:9/>Proclaim this among the nations: 
 * “Prepare for war!
 * Stir up the mighty men.


 * Let all the warriors draw near.
 * Let them come up. <section end=3:9/> <section begin=3:10/>Beat your plowshares into swords,
 * and your pruning hooks into spears.
 * Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’

<section end=3:10/> <section begin=3:11/>Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, 
 * and gather yourselves together.”

<section end=3:11/> <section begin=3:12/>“Let the nations arouse themselves, 
 * Cause your mighty ones to come down there, Yahweh.
 * and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat;
 * for there will I sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

<section end=3:12/> <section begin=3:13/>Put in the sickle; 
 * for the harvest is ripe.
 * Come, tread, for the winepress is full,
 * the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.”

'''<section end=3:13/> <section begin=3:14/>Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! '''
 * For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision.

<section end=3:14/> <section begin=3:15/>The sun and the moon are darkened, 
 * and the stars withdraw their shining.

<section end=3:15/> <section begin=3:16/>Yahweh will roar from Zion, 
 * and thunder from Jerusalem;
 * and the heavens and the earth will shake;
 * but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people,
 * and a stronghold to the children of Israel.

<section end=3:16/> <section begin=3:17/>“So you will know that I am Yahweh, your God, 
 * dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.


 * Then Jerusalem will be holy,
 * and no strangers will pass through her any more.

<section end=3:17/> <section begin=3:18/>It will happen in that day, 
 * that the mountains will drop down sweet wine,
 * the hills will flow with milk,
 * all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters,
 * and a fountain will come forth from the house of Yahweh,
 * and will water the valley of Shittim.

<section end=3:18/> <section begin=3:19/>Egypt will be a desolation, 
 * and Edom will be a desolate wilderness,
 * for the violence done to the children of Judah,
 * because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

<section end=3:19/> <section begin=3:20/>But Judah will be inhabited forever, 
 * and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

<section end=3:20/> <section begin=3:21/>I will cleanse their blood, 
 * that I have not cleansed:
 * for Yahweh dwells in Zion.”

<section end=3:21/>