Joel

The Locust Invasion

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is near. Yes, the day is quickly approaching,

a day of gloom and darkness, filled with clouds and blackness. A vast and mighty army is coming, like dawn breaking over the mountain, such as has never happened before, nor will again in the future.

In front, a fire consumes everything; behind, another flames devour all. The land ahead, which initially appears to be a garden, quickly turns into a desert; nothing can escape their onslaught.

They resemble horses, galloping like chargers.

With the noise of chariots clattering, they leap over the mountains; with a crackling sound like burning straw, they charge, an army mighty enough for battle.

Before them, nations are stunned, and every face turns pale.

They attack like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. Marching in line, they move forward without veering from their path,

without jostling one another, with each of them marching straight ahead. Amid a hail of arrows, they run and press on without breaking ranks.

They rush toward the city, leap over the walls, and break into the houses like thieves entering through the windows.

Before them, the earth shakes and the heavens tremble, the sun and moon grow dark and the stars lose their twinkle.

The Lord thunders before his army, his vast and mighty forces. The day of the Lord is exceedingly great, terrible and dreadful —who can endure it?

Penance and Supplication

The Lord says: “Yet even now, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Rend your heart, not your garment. Return to the Lord, your God, gracious and compassionate.” The Lord is patient, full of kindness, and quick to show mercy.

Who knows? Maybe he will relent again and spare some of the harvest, so we can bring sacred offerings to the Lord, your God.

Sound the trumpet in Zion, announce a sacred fast, and gather a solemn assembly.

Gather the people, consecrate the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.

Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, weep and pray: Spare your people, Lord. Do not humiliate them or let them become a disgrace among the nations. Why should it be said among the people: Where is their God?

The Lord has become jealous for his land; he took pity on his people.

Oracle of Salvation

The Lord has responded; he says to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine, and oil, which will completely satisfy you. Never again will the nations scorn you.

I will drive the enemy from the North far away from you; and chase him toward a land of drought and desolation: his vanguard to the Eastern Sea, and his rearguard to the Western Sea. His stench will rise everywhere. Watch that I do great things.”

1Fear not, earth! Rejoice and be glad, for the Lord has done magnificent things!

Do not fear, beasts of the field, for the desert prairies are green once more; the trees are bearing fruit; the fig tree and the vine have produced their riches.

Sons of Zion, rejoice! Be glad in the Lord your God, for he has sent you the blessing of autumn rain and showers —the autumn and spring rains as before.

The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten —the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter— the powerful army I sent against you.

You will eat and be satisfied; and you will praise the name of the Lord, your God, who has done wonders for you.

And then you will realize that I am in the middle of Israel; I, the Lord your God, and no other! My people will never be shamed again.