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OD also  sent  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  kingdom  of  Juda  a great  number  of  prophets,  whose  powerful  voice  was  heard throughout the  land  calling  them  to  repentance,  by  proclaiming and foretelling  the  judgments  of  God. Many times  did  their words produce  the  desired  effect, and  bring  the  people  to repentance,  and  for  a while  they  served  God  with  fidelity  and sincerity.

Unhappily these  returns  to  virtue  and  religion  were  of  short duration. Then it  was  that  the  prophets,  with  sorrowful  hearts, began to  announce  to  the  rebellious  people  the  gradual  downfall of their  country,  and  the  only  consolation  left  to  the  prophets was the  thought  of  the  Messias,  whose  coming  they  saw  more clearly as  time  went  on.

The prophet  Joel  spoke  to  the  people  in  these  terms : “Hear this,  ye  old  men,  and  give  ear,  all  ye  inhabitants  of the  land. Blow the  trumpet  in  Sion,  sound  an  alarm  in  my holy  mountain;  because  the  day  of  the  Lord  comes;  because  it is  nigh  at  hand. A day of  darkness  and  of  gloom;  a day  of clouds  and  whirlwinds;  a numerous  people  and  a strong  people, as the  morning  spread  upon  the  mountains. Before the  face thereof a devouring  fire  and  behind  it  a burning  flame. Sacrifices and oblations  have  ceased  to  be  offered  in  the  house  of  the Lord. Rend your  hearts  and  not  your  garments,  and  turn  to the  Lord  your  God. Between the  porch  and  the  altar,  the  priests,