12 Yahweh declares: Still even now,

return to me with all of your hearts,

and with fasting and weeping, and with mourning.

13 Yes, tear your hearts and not your clothes,

and return to your God Yahweh

because he’s gracious and merciful,

slow to get angry but displaying loyal commitment,

and relenting from sending disaster.

14 Who knows? He might change his mind and relent

and leave a blessing after him:

grain and wine that you all can use as offerings for your God Yahweh.

15 Blow the shofar in Tsiyyon,

declare a fast,

announce an assembly.

16 Gather the people,

≈consecrate the congregation,

≈assemble the elders,

gather the children

≈and the ones suckling the breasts.

May the bridegroom come out from his chamber

≈and the bride from her room.

17 Let Yahweh’s servants the priests weep between the porch and the altar.

And let them say, “Have pity upon your people, Yahweh,

and don’t allow others to mock the people that you inherited,

and then for other nations to rule over them.

Why should the other nations ask, ‘Where is their God?’ ”