Joel 2:12-14

An Appeal for Repentance

2:12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says,

“return to me with all your heart –

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Tear your hearts, ¹ 

not just your garments!”

2:13 Return to the Lord your God,

for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to anger and boundless in loyal love ²  – often relenting from calamitous punishment. ³ 

2:14 Who knows?

Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve, ⁴ 

and leave blessing in his wake ⁵  –

a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the Lord your God! ⁶ 

[2:12]  ¹ sn The figurative language calls for genuine repentance, and not merely external ritual that goes through the motions.

[2:13]  ² tn Heb “and great of loyal love.”

[2:13]  ³ tn Heb “and he relents from calamity.”

[2:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “turn” or “turn back.”

[2:14]  ⁵ tn Heb “leave a blessing behind him.”

[2:14]  ⁶ tn The phrase “for you to offer” does not appear in the Hebrew, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.