An Appeal for Repentance

12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says,

“return to me with all your heart –

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Tear your hearts,

not just your garments!”

13 Return to the Lord your God,

for he is merciful and compassionate,

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

14 Who knows?

Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve,

and leave blessing in his wake –

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

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion.

Announce a holy fast;

proclaim a sacred assembly!

16 Gather the people;

sanctify an assembly!

Gather the elders;

gather the children and the nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom come out from his bedroom

and the bride from her private quarters.

17 Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, weep

from the vestibule all the way back to the altar.

Let them say, “Have pity, O Lord, on your people;

please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked,

to become a proverb among the nations.

Why should it be said among the peoples,

“Where is their God?”