JPS - Joel - 2

2:1  Blow ye the horn in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of HaShem cometh, for it is at hand;

2:2  A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as blackness spread upon the mountains; a great people and a mighty, there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.

2:3  A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame blazeth; the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing escapeth them.

2:4  The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.

2:5  Like the noise of chariots, on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a mighty people set in battle array.

2:6  At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces have gathered blackness.

2:7  They run like mighty men, they climb the wall like men of war; and they move on every one in his ways, and they entangle not their paths.

2:8  Neither doth one thrust another, they march every one in his highway; and they break through the weapons, and suffer no harm.

2:9  They leap upon the city, they run upon the wall, they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.

2:10  Before them the earth quaketh, the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are become black, and the stars withdraw their shining.

2:11  And HaShem uttereth His voice before His army; for His camp is very great, for he is mighty that executeth His word; for great is the day of HaShem and very terrible; and who can abide it?

2:12  Yet even now, saith HaShem, turn ye unto Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with lamentation;

2:13  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto HaShem your G-d; for He is gracious and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy, and repenteth Him of the evil.

2:14  Who knoweth whether He will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto HaShem your G-d?

2:15  Blow the horn in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;

2:16  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her pavilion.

2:17  Let the priests, the ministers of HaShem, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say: 'Spare thy people, O HaShem, and give not Thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should make them a byword: wherefore should they say among the peoples: Where is their G-d?'

2:18  Then was HaShem jealous for His land, and had pity on His people.

2:19  And HaShem answered and said unto His people: 'Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;

2:20  But I will remove far off from you the northern one, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the eastern sea, and his hinder part toward the western sea; that his foulness may come up, and his ill savour may come up, because he hath done great things.'

2:21  Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for HaShem hath done great things.

2:22  Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.

2:23  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in HaShem your G-d; for He giveth you the former rain in just measure, and He causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, at the first.

2:24  And the floors shall be full of corn, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

2:25  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpiller, and the palmer-worm, My great army which I sent among you.

2:26  And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of HaShem your G-d, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be ashamed.

2:27  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am HaShem your G-d, and there is none else; and My people shall never be ashamed.