12 "Yet even now," says the Lord, "Come back to me while there is still time. Come to me with all your heart, with fasting and prayer. 13 Repent in your minds, and not by tearing your clothes."2:13. Tearing one’s clothes was a sign of intense emotion, grief, and repentance. Come back to the Lord your God for he is gracious and kind. He is slow to get angry and full of faithful love, and changes his mind about sending punishment. 14 Who knows? Maybe he will change his mind, leaving behind a blessing so that you will be able to make grain and wine offerings to the Lord your God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast; call a solemn assembly. 16 Gather the people together: the elders, the children, even the babies. Let the bridegroom leave his room; let the bride leave her room. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar of the Temple.2:17. "Of the Temple": implied. Let them say, "Lord, please take pity on your people, and do not let your inheritance be disgraced, ruled over by foreign nations, so that the people of these nations could ask, ‘Where is their God?’"