1Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near at hand;
2A day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the dawn spreading across the mountains; a large and mighty army; and there has never been the like, nor shall there be again after it, even in generations to come .
3A fire burns ahead of them; and behind them a flame blazes; the land ahead of them is like the garden of Eden, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing escapes.
4Their appearance is like that of horses; and horsemen, they gallop like cavalry,
5With the noise of chariots leaping across the tops of mountains, like the sound of crackling flame that devours the stubble, like a strong army arrayed for battle.
6At the sight of them, the faces of the people are darkened and show much pain.
7They charge and climb the wall like men of war; and each marches in his own path, and they do not break their ranks.
8Nor do they jostle one another; they each march in his own path; never breaking ranks.
9They rush upon the city; they run along its walls, they climb up into the houses; they enter at the windows like a thief.
10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine:
11And the LORD thunders at the head of His army; for His forces are many, beyond number; they who execute His word are a mighty army; for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can withstand it?
12 “Even now”, says the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning;
13And do not tear your clothing, but tear your heart, and turn to the LORD, your God; for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and relents from sending calamity upon you.
14Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave behind a blessing - even a grain and a drink offering unto the LORD, your God.
15Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a solemn assembly.
16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that nurse at the breasts; let the bridegroom leave his chamber, and the bride come out of her room.
17Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar, and let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage an object of scorn among the pagan nations. Why should they say among the people, “Where is their God?’”
18Then the LORD was jealous for His land, and took pity on His people.
19And the LORD will replied to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain, wine, and oil, and you shall be satisfied with them; and I will never again make you a reproach among the pagan nations:
20But I will drive the northern army far from you, into a land barren and desolate, with his eastern ranks toward the Dead Sea, and his rear (western) ranks toward the Mediterranean Sea, and his stench shall come up, its smell shall rise, because He has done great things.
21Fear not, O land. Be glad and rejoice; for surely the LORD has done great things.
22Be not afraid, you wild animals; for the pastures of the wilderness are springing up green, the tree bears her fruit, the fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
23Be glad then, people of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD, your God; for He has given you the former rain moderately, and He will bring the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month for you.
24And the threshing floors shall be full of grain, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25I will restore to you the years that the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmer worm have eaten, My great army that I sent among you.
26And you shall eat in abundance, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be ashamed.
27And you shall know that I am among My people of Israel, and that I am the LORD, your God, and there is none else; and My people shall never again be ashamed.
28And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit upon all people; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29And in those days, I will also pour out My Spirit even upon My servants, both men and women.
30And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of that great and the terrible day of the LORD.
32And whoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, and among the remnant (survivors) whom the LORD shall call. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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