God’s Call for Repentance
12 Even now —
this is the Lord’s declaration —
turn to me with all your heart, 2:12 1Kg 8:35–40; 2Ch 7:14
with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 2:12 Est 4:3
13 Tear your hearts, 2:13 Ps 51:17; Is 57:15
not just your clothes, 2:13 Jr 41:5
and return to the Lord your God.
For he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger, abounding in faithful love,
and he relents from sending disaster. 2:13 Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; 1Ch 21:15; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Jr 18:8; Jnh 4:2
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent 2:14 2Sm 12:22; Jnh 3:9
and leave a blessing behind him, 2:14 Hg 2:19
so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering
to the Lord your God. 2:14 Jl 1:9,13
15 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion! 2:15 Jl 2:1
Announce a sacred fast; 2:15 2Kg 10:20
proclaim a solemn assembly.
16 Gather the people;
sanctify the congregation; 2:16 1Sm 16:5; 2Ch 29:5
assemble the aged; 2:16 Or elders, 2:15–16 2Ch 20:3; Neh 9:1; Jr 36:6,9
gather the infants,
even babies nursing at the breast.
Let the groom leave his bedroom, 2:16 Ps 19:5
and the bride her honeymoon chamber.
17 Let the priests, 2:17 Jl 1:9 the Lord’s ministers,
weep between the portico and the altar. 2:17 Hs 10:5; Jl 1:13
Let them say,
"Have pity on your people, Lord, 2:17 Is 37:20; Am 7:2,5
and do not make your inheritance a disgrace, 2:17 Ps 44:13; 74:10
an object of scorn among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God? ’ " 2:17 Ps 42:3,10; 79:10; 115:2