Yahweh calls them to repent

12 But Yahweh says,

“In spite of these disasters that you have experienced,

you can return to me with all your inner beings.

Weep, and mourn, and ◄fast/abstain from eating food► to show that you are sorry for having abandoned me.

13 Do not tear your clothes

to show that you are sorry;

instead, show [MET] that you are sorry.”

Yahweh is merciful and kind;

he does not quickly become angry;

he faithfully loves people.

He does not quickly become angry;

instead, he greatly and faithfully loves you,

and he does not like to punish you.

14 No one knows [RHQ] if he will change his mind about punishing you

and if instead he will act mercifully toward you.

If he does that, he will bless you

by giving you plenty of grain and wine

in order that you can offer some of those things as sacrifices to him.

15 Blow the trumpets on Zion Hill!

Gather the people together!

Show by fasting that you are sorry for the sins that you have committed.

16 Perform the rituals to cause yourselves to be acceptable to Yahweh.

Gather everyone together—

the old people and the children, even the babies,

and summon brides and bridegrooms from their rooms.

17 Tell the priests who serve Yahweh to cry between the altar and the entrance to the temple

and to pray this:

“Yahweh, rescue/save us your people;

do not allow people from other nations to despise us;

do not allow them to ridicule us and say,

‘Why has [RHQ] their God abandoned them?’”