\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Joel}
{\MTB The Book of
\par }{\MT Joel

\par }\ChapOne{1}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The
LORD’s\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:1 }
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.}
word
that
came
to
Joel,
the
son
of
Pethuel.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Hear
this,
you
elders,
\par }{\QB and
listen,
all
you
inhabitants
of
the
land!
\par }{\Q Has
this ever
happened
in
your
days,
\par }{\QB or
in
the
days
of
your
fathers?
\par }{\Q \VS{3}Tell
your
children
about
it,
\par }{\QB and
have
your
children
tell
their
children,
\par }{\QB and
their
children,
another
generation.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}What
the
swarming
locust
has left,
the great
locust
has
eaten.
\par }{\QB What
the great
locust
has left,
the
grasshopper
has
eaten.
\par }{\QB What
the
grasshopper
has left,
the
caterpillar
has
eaten.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}Wake
up,
you
drunkards,
and
weep!
\par }{\QB Wail,
all
you
drinkers
of
wine,
because
of
the
sweet
wine,
\par }{\QB for
it
is
cut
off
from
your
mouth.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}For
a
nation
has
come
up
on
my
land,
strong,
and
without
number.
\par }{\QB His
teeth
are
the
teeth
of
a
lion,
\par }{\QB and
he
has
the
fangs
of
a
lioness.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}He
has
laid
my
vine
waste,
\par }{\QB and
stripped
my
fig
tree.
\par }{\QB He
has
stripped
its bark,
and
thrown
it
away.
\par }{\QB Its
branches
are
made
white.
\par }{\Q \VS{8}Mourn
like
a
virgin dressed
in
sackcloth
\par }{\QB for
the
husband
of
her
youth!
\par }{\Q \VS{9}The
meal
offering
and
the drink
offering
are
cut
off
from
the
LORD’s
house.
\par }{\QB The
priests,
the
LORD’s
ministers,
mourn.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}The
field
is laid
waste.
\par }{\QB The
land
mourns,
for
the
grain
is
destroyed,
\par }{\QB The
new
wine
has
dried
up,
\par }{\QB and
the
oil
languishes.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}Be
confounded,
you
farmers!
\par }{\QB Wail,
you vineyard keepers,
\par }{\QB for
the
wheat
and
for
the
barley;
\par }{\QB for
the
harvest
of
the
field
has
perished.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}The
vine
has
dried
up,
and
the
fig
tree
withered—
\par }{\QB the
pomegranate
tree,
the
palm
tree
also,
and
the
apple
tree,
\par }{\QB even
all
of
the
trees
of
the
field
are
withered;
\par }{\QB for
joy
has
withered
away
from
the
sons
of
men.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}Put
on
sackcloth
and
mourn,
you
priests!
\par }{\QB Wail,
you
ministers
of
the
altar.
\par }{\Q Come, lie all night
in
sackcloth,
you
ministers
of
my
God,\FTNT{†}{{\FR 1:13 }
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).}
\par }{\QB for
the
meal
offering
and
the drink
offering
are
withheld
from
your
God’s
house.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}Sanctify
a
fast.
\par }{\QB Call
a
solemn
assembly.
\par }{\QB Gather
the
elders
and
all
the
inhabitants
of
the
land
to
the
house
of
the
LORD,
your
God,
\par }{\QB and
cry
to
the
LORD.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}Alas
for
the
day!
\par }{\QB For
the
day
of
the
LORD
is
at
hand,
\par }{\QB and
it
will
come
as
destruction
from
the
Almighty.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}Isn’t
the
food
cut
off
before
our
eyes,
\par }{\QB joy
and
gladness
from
the
house
of
our
God?
\par }{\Q \VS{17}The
seeds rot
under
their
clods.
\par }{\QB The granaries
are
laid
desolate.
\par }{\QB The
barns
are
broken
down,
for
the
grain
has
withered.
\par }{\Q \VS{18}How
the
animals
groan!
\par }{\QB The
herds
of
livestock
are perplexed,
because
they
have
no
pasture.
\par }{\QB Yes,
the
flocks
of
sheep
are
made
desolate.
\par }{\Q \VS{19}LORD,
I
cry
to
you,
\par }{\QB for
the
fire
has
devoured
the
pastures
of
the
wilderness,
\par }{\QB and
the
flame
has burnt
all
the
trees
of
the
field.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}Yes,
the
animals
of
the
field
pant
to
you,
\par }{\QB for
the
water
brooks
have
dried
up,
\par }{\QB and
the
fire
has
devoured
the
pastures
of
the
wilderness.
\par }{\BB \par }
\PoetryChap{2}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Blow
the
trumpet
in
Zion,
\par }{\QB and
sound
an
alarm
in
my
holy
mountain!
\par }{\Q Let
all
the
inhabitants
of
the
land
tremble,
\par }{\QB for
the
day
of
the
LORD
comes,
\par }{\QB for
it
is
close
at
hand:
\par }{\Q \VS{2}A
day
of
darkness
and gloominess,
\par }{\QB a
day
of
clouds
and
thick
darkness.
\par }{\Q As
the
dawn
spreading
on
the
mountains,
\par }{\QB a
great
and
strong
people;
\par }{\QB there
has
never
been
the
like,
\par }{\QB neither
will
there
be
any
more
after
them,
\par }{\QB even
to
the
years
of
many
generations.
\par }{\Q \VS{3}A
fire
devours
before
them,
\par }{\QB and
behind
them,
a
flame
burns.
\par }{\Q The
land
is
as
the
garden
of
Eden
before
them,
\par }{\QB and
behind
them,
a
desolate
wilderness.
\par }{\Q Yes,
and
no
one
has
escaped
them.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}Their
appearance
is
as
the
appearance
of
horses,
\par }{\QB and
they
run
as
horsemen.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}Like
the
noise
of
chariots
on
the
tops
of
the
mountains,
they
leap,
\par }{\QB like
the
noise
of
a
flame
of
fire
that
devours
the
stubble,
\par }{\QB like
a
strong
people set
in
battle
array.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}At
their
presence
the
peoples
are
in
anguish.
\par }{\QB All
faces
have
grown
pale.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}They
run
like
mighty
men.
\par }{\QB They
climb
the
wall
like
warriors.
\par }{\QB They
each march
in
his
line,
and
they
don’t swerve
off
course.
\par }{\Q \VS{8}One
doesn’t
jostle
another.
\par }{\QB They
each march
in
their
own
path.
\par }{\QB They
burst
through
the defences
\par }{\QB and
don’t
break
ranks.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}They
rush
on
the
city.
\par }{\QB They
run
on
the
wall.
\par }{\QB They
climb
up
into
the
houses.
\par }{\QB They
enter
in
at
the
windows
like
thieves.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}The
earth
quakes
before
them.
\par }{\QB The
heavens
tremble.
\par }{\QB The
sun
and
the
moon
are darkened,
\par }{\QB and
the
stars
withdraw
their shining.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}The
LORD
thunders
his
voice
before
his
army,
\par }{\QB for
his
forces
are
very
great;
\par }{\QB for
he
is
strong
who
obeys
his
command;
\par }{\QB for
the
day
of
the
LORD
is
great
and
very
awesome,
\par }{\QB and
who
can
endure
it?
\par }{\Q \VS{12}“Yet
even
now,”
says
the
LORD, “turn
to
me
with
all
your
heart,
\par }{\QB and
with
fasting,
and
with
weeping,
and
with
mourning.”
\par }{\Q \VS{13}Tear
your
heart
and
not
your
garments,
\par }{\QB and
turn
to
the
LORD,
your
God;
\par }{\QB for
he
is
gracious
and
merciful,
\par }{\QB slow
to
anger,
and
abundant
in loving
kindness,
\par }{\QB and
relents
from sending
calamity.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}Who
knows?
He
may
turn
and
relent,
\par }{\QB and
leave
a
blessing
behind
him,
\par }{\QB even
a
meal
offering
and
a drink
offering
to
the
LORD,
your
God.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}Blow
the
trumpet
in
Zion!
\par }{\QB Sanctify
a
fast.
\par }{\QB Call
a
solemn
assembly.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}Gather
the
people.
\par }{\QB Sanctify
the
assembly.
\par }{\QB Assemble
the
elders.
\par }{\QB Gather
the
children,
and those who
nurse
from
breasts.
\par }{\Q Let
the bridegroom
go
out
of
his
room,
\par }{\QB and
the
bride
out
of
her
chamber.
\par }{\Q \VS{17}Let
the
priests,
the
ministers
of
the
LORD,
weep
between
the
porch
and
the
altar,
\par }{\QB and
let
them
say, “Spare
your
people,
LORD,
\par }{\QB and
don’t
give
your
heritage
to
reproach,
\par }{\QB that
the
nations
should
rule
over
them.
\par }{\Q Why
should
they
say amongst
the
peoples,
\par }{\QB ‘Where
is
their
God?’ ”
\par }{\Q \VS{18}Then
the
LORD
was
jealous
for
his
land,
\par }{\QB and
had
pity
on
his
people.
\par }{\Q \VS{19}The
LORD
answered
his
people,
\par }{\QB “Behold,\FTNT{*}{{\FR 2:19 }
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.}
I
will
send
you
grain,
new
wine,
and
oil,
\par }{\QB and
you
will
be
satisfied
with
them;
\par }{\QB and
I
will
no
more
make
you
a
reproach amongst
the
nations.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}But
I
will
remove
the
northern
army
far
away
from
you,
\par }{\QB and
will
drive
it
into
a barren
and
desolate
land,
\par }{\QB its
front
into
the
eastern
sea,
\par }{\QB and
its
back
into
the
western
sea;
\par }{\QB and
its
stench
will
come
up,
\par }{\QB and
its bad
smell
will
rise.”
\par }{\Q Surely
he
has
done
great
things.
\par }{\Q \VS{21}Land,
don’t
be
afraid.
\par }{\QB Be
glad
and
rejoice,
for
the
LORD
has
done
great
things.
\par }{\Q \VS{22}Don’t
be
afraid,
you
animals
of
the
field;
\par }{\QB for
the
pastures
of
the
wilderness spring
up,
\par }{\QB for
the
tree
bears
its
fruit.
\par }{\QB The
fig
tree
and
the
vine
yield
their
strength.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{23}“Be
glad
then,
you
children
of
Zion,
\par }{\QB and
rejoice
in
the
LORD,
your
God;
\par }{\QB for
he
gives
you
the early
rain
in
just measure,
\par }{\QB and
he
causes
the
rain
to
come
down
for
you,
\par }{\QB the early
rain
and
the
latter
rain,
as
before.
\par }{\Q \VS{24}The
threshing
floors
will be
full
of
wheat,
\par }{\QB and
the
vats
will
overflow
with
new
wine
and
oil.
\par }{\Q \VS{25}I
will restore
to
you
the
years
that
the
swarming
locust
has
eaten,
\par }{\QB the
great
locust,
the
grasshopper,
and
the
caterpillar,
\par }{\QB my
great
army,
which
I
sent amongst
you.
\par }{\Q \VS{26}You
will
have
plenty
to
eat
and
be
satisfied,
\par }{\QB and
will
praise
the
name
of
the
LORD,
your
God,
\par }{\QB who
has dealt
wondrously
with
you;
\par }{\QB and
my
people
will
never again
be
disappointed.
\par }{\Q \VS{27}You
will
know
that
I
am amongst
Israel,
\par }{\QB and
that
I
am
the
LORD,
your
God,
and
there
is
no
one
else;
\par }{\QB and
my
people
will
never
again
be
disappointed.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{28}“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
\par }{\QB and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
\par }{\QB Your old men will dream dreams.
\par }{\QB Your young men will see visions.
\par }{\Q \VS{29}And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days,
\par }{\QB I will pour out my Spirit.
\par }{\Q \VS{30}I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
\par }{\QB blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.
\par }{\Q \VS{31}The sun will be turned into darkness,
\par }{\QB and the moon into blood,
\par }{\QB before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.
\par }{\Q \VS{32}It will happen that whoever will call on the LORD’s name shall be saved;
\par }{\QB for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape,
\par }{\QB as the LORD has said,
\par }{\QB and amongst the remnant, those whom the LORD calls.
\par }{\BB \par }
\PoetryChap{3}{\Q \VerseOne{1}“For,
behold,
in
those days,
\par }{\QB and
in
that
time,
\par }{\QB when
I restore
the fortunes
of Judah
and Jerusalem,
\par }{\Q \VS{2}I
will gather
all nations,
\par }{\QB and
will bring
them
down
into
the valley
of Jehoshaphat;
\par }{\QB and
I
will execute judgement
on
them
there
for
my people,
\par }{\QB and
for
my heritage, Israel, whom
they
have scattered amongst
the nations.
\par }{\QB They
have divided
my land,
\par }{\QB \VS{3}and
have
cast lots
for
my
people,
\par }{\QB and
have
given
a boy
for
a prostitute,
\par }{\QB and sold
a girl
for wine,
that
they
may drink.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}“Yes,
and
what
are
you
to
me, Tyre
and Sidon,
\par }{\QB and
all
the regions
of Philistia?
\par }{\Q Will
you repay
me?
\par }{\QB And if
you repay
me,
\par }{\QB I
will swiftly
and speedily
return
your repayment
on
your
own
head.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}Because
you
have
taken
my silver
and
my gold,
\par }{\QB and
have carried
my finest treasures
into
your temples,
\par }{\QB \VS{6}and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the sons of the Greeks,
\par }{\QB that you may remove them far from their border.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}Behold, I will stir them up out of the place where you have sold them,
\par }{\QB and will return your repayment on your own head;
\par }{\Q \VS{8}and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Judah,
\par }{\QB and they will sell them to the men of Sheba,
\par }{\QB to a faraway nation,
\par }{\QB for the LORD has spoken it.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}Proclaim this amongst the nations:
\par }{\QB “Prepare for war!
\par }{\QB Stir up the mighty men.
\par }{\Q Let all the warriors draw near.
\par }{\QB Let them come up.
\VS{10}Beat your ploughshares into swords,
\par }{\QB and your pruning hooks into spears.
\par }{\QB Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’
\par }{\Q \VS{11}Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations,
\par }{\QB and gather yourselves together.”
\par }{\Q Cause your mighty ones to come down there, LORD.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}“Let the nations arouse themselves,
\par }{\QB and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat;
\par }{\QB for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}Put in the sickle;
\par }{\QB for the harvest is ripe.
\par }{\QB Come, tread, for the wine press is full,
\par }{\QB the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.”
\par }{\Q \VS{14}Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
\par }{\QB For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}The sun and the moon are darkened,
\par }{\QB and the stars withdraw their shining.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}The LORD will roar from Zion,
\par }{\QB and thunder from Jerusalem;
\par }{\QB and the heavens and the earth will shake;
\par }{\QB but the LORD will be a refuge to his people,
\par }{\QB and a stronghold to the children of Israel.
\par }{\Q \VS{17}“So you will know that I am the LORD, your God,
\par }{\QB dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.
\par }{\Q Then Jerusalem will be holy,
\par }{\QB and no strangers will pass through her any more.
\par }{\Q \VS{18}It will happen in that day,
\par }{\QB that the mountains will drop down sweet wine,
\par }{\QB the hills will flow with milk,
\par }{\QB all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters;
\par }{\QB and a fountain will flow out from the LORD’s house,
\par }{\QB and will water the valley of Shittim.
\par }{\Q \VS{19}Egypt will be a desolation
\par }{\QB and Edom will be a desolate wilderness,
\par }{\QB for the violence done to the children of Judah,
\par }{\QB because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}But Judah will be inhabited forever,
\par }{\QB and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
\par }{\Q \VS{21}I will cleanse their blood
\par }{\QB that I have not cleansed,
\par }{\QB for the LORD dwells in Zion.”
\par }