Joel 3:14-17

Context

3:14 Crowds, great crowds are in the valley of decision,

for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision!¹

3:15 The sun and moon are darkened;

the stars withhold² their brightness.

3:16 The Lord roars from Zion;

from Jerusalem³ his voice bellows out.⁴

The heavens⁵ and the earth shake.

But the Lord is a refuge for his people;

he is a stronghold for the citizens⁶ of Israel.

The Lord’s Presence in Zion

3:17 You will be convinced⁷ that I the Lord am your God,

dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain.

Jerusalem⁸ will be holy –

conquering armies⁹ will no longer pass through it.

[3:14] ¹sn The decision referred to here is not a response on the part of the crowd, but the verdict handed out by the divine judge.

[3:15] ²tn Heb “gather in.”

[3:16] ⁴tn Heb “he sounds forth his voice.”

[3:16] ⁵tn Or “the sky.” See the note on “sky” in 2:30.

[3:16] ⁶tn Heb “sons.”

[3:17] ⁴tn Heb “know.”

[3:17] ⁶tn Heb “strangers” or “foreigners.” In context, this refers to invasions by conquering armies.