Joel.2.1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Joel.2.1
Blow the ram's horn trumpet in Zion! Trumpet the alarm on my holy mountain! Shake the country up! GOD's Judgment's on its way--the Day's almost here!
Joel.2.1
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-
Joel.2.1
Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand:
Joel.2.1
Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem! Sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the LORD is upon us.
Joel.2.2
A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
Joel.2.2
A black day! A Doomsday! Clouds with no silver lining! Like dawn light moving over the mountains, a huge army is coming. There's never been anything like it and never will be again.
Joel.2.2
a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come.
Joel.2.2
A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.
Joel.2.2
It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a mighty army appears! How great and powerful they are! The likes of them have not been seen before and never will be seen again.
Joel.2.3
A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
Joel.2.3
Wildfire burns everything before this army and fire licks up everything in its wake. Before it arrives, the country is like the Garden of Eden. When it leaves, it is Death Valley. Nothing escapes unscathed.
Joel.2.3
Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste- nothing escapes them.
Joel.2.3
A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them.
Joel.2.3
Fire burns in front of them and follows them in every direction! Ahead of them the land lies as fair as the Garden of Eden in all its beauty. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes.
Joel.2.4
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
Joel.2.4
The locust army seems all horses--galloping horses, an army of horses.
Joel.2.4
They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry.
Joel.2.4
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run.
Joel.2.4
They look like tiny horses, and they run as fast.
Joel.2.5
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
Joel.2.5
It sounds like thunder leaping on mountain ridges, Or like the roar of wildfire through grass and brush, Or like an invincible army shouting for blood, ready to fight, straining at the bit.
Joel.2.5
With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
Joel.2.5
With a noise like chariots Over mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, Like a strong people set in battle array.
Joel.2.5
Look at them as they leap along the mountaintops! Listen to the noise they make--like the rumbling of chariots, like the roar of a fire sweeping across a field, or like a mighty army moving into battle.
Joel.2.6
Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
Joel.2.6
At the sight of this army, the people panic, faces white with terror.
Joel.2.6
At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale.
Joel.2.6
Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color.
Joel.2.6
Fear grips all the people; every face grows pale with fright.
Joel.2.7
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
Joel.2.7
The invaders charge. They climb barricades. Nothing stops them. Each soldier does what he's told, so disciplined, so determined.
Joel.2.7
They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course.
Joel.2.7
They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.
Joel.2.7
The attackers march like warriors and scale city walls like trained soldiers. Straight forward they march, never breaking rank.
Joel.2.8
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
Joel.2.8
They don't get in each other's way. Each one knows his job and does it. Undaunted and fearless, unswerving, unstoppable.
Joel.2.8
They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks.
Joel.2.8
They do not push one another; Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between the weapons, They are not cut down.
Joel.2.8
They never jostle each other; each moves in exactly the right place. They lunge through the gaps, and no weapon can stop them.
Joel.2.9
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
Joel.2.9
They storm the city, swarm its defenses, Loot the houses, breaking down doors, smashing windows.
Joel.2.9
They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows.
Joel.2.9
They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.
Joel.2.9
They swarm over the city and run along its walls. They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows.
Joel.2.10
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
Joel.2.10
They arrive like an earthquake, sweep through like a tornado. Sun and moon turn out their lights, stars black out.
Joel.2.10
Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine.
Joel.2.10
The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness.
Joel.2.10
The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine.
Joel.2.11
And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel.2.11
GOD himself bellows in thunder as he commands his forces. Look at the size of that army! And the strength of those who obey him! GOD's Judgment Day--great and terrible. Who can possibly survive this?
Joel.2.11
The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
Joel.2.11
The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?
Joel.2.11
The LORD leads them with a shout! This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?
Joel.2.12
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Joel.2.12
But there's also this, it's not too late--GOD's personal Message!- "Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!"
Joel.2.12
"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Joel.2.12
"Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
Joel.2.12
That is why the LORD says, "Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Joel.2.13
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Joel.2.13
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.
Joel.2.13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel.2.13
So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.
Joel.2.13
Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.
Joel.2.14
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Joel.2.14
Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your GOD! [JC]
Joel.2.14
Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing- grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
Joel.2.14
Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him-- A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?
Joel.2.14
Who knows? Perhaps even yet he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse. Perhaps he will give you so much that you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before!
Joel.2.15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Joel.2.15
Blow the ram's horn trumpet in Zion! Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day. Call a public meeting.
Joel.2.15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.
Joel.2.15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
Joel.2.15
Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting.
Joel.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 of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Joel.2.16
Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies, Even men and women on their honeymoon--interrupt them and get them there.
Joel.2.16
Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
Joel.2.16
Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
Joel.2.16
Bring everyone--the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room.
Joel.2.17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Joel.2.17
Between Sanctuary entrance and altar, let the priests, GOD's servants, weep tears of repentance. Let them intercede: "Have mercy, GOD, on your people! Don't abandon your heritage to contempt. Don't let the pagans take over and rule them and sneer, "And so where is this God of theirs?'" [JC]
Joel.2.17
Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"
Joel.2.17
Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?"'
Joel.2.17
The priests, who minister in the LORD's presence, will stand between the people and the altar, weeping. Let them pray, "Spare your people, LORD! They belong to you, so don't let them become an object of mockery. Don't let their name become a proverb of unbelieving foreigners who say, `Where is the God of Israel? He must be helpless!'"
Joel.2.18
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Joel.2.18
At that, GOD went into action to get his land back. He took pity on his people.
Joel.2.18
Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.
Joel.2.18
Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people.
Joel.2.18
Then the LORD will pity his people and be indignant for the honor of his land!
Joel.2.19
Yea, the LORD will answer and say 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 heathen:
Joel.2.19
GOD answered and spoke to his people, "Look, listen--I'm sending a gift: Grain and wine and olive oil. The fast is over--eat your fill! I won't expose you any longer to contempt among the pagans.
Joel.2.19
The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.
Joel.2.19
The LORD will answer and say to His people, "Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.
Joel.2.19
He will reply, "Look! I am sending you grain and wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.
Joel.2.20
But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
Joel.2.20
I'll head off the final enemy coming out of the north and dump them in a wasteland. Half of them will end up in the Dead Sea, the other half in the Mediterranean. There they'll rot, a stench to high heaven. The bigger the enemy, the stronger the stench!"
Joel.2.20
"I will drive the northern army far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land, with its front columns going into the eastern sea and those in the rear into the western sea. And its stench will go up; its smell will rise." Surely he has done great things.
Joel.2.20
"But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things."
Joel.2.20
I will remove these armies from the north and send them far away. I will drive them back into the parched wastelands, where they will die. Those in the rear will go into the Dead Sea; those at the front will go into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land." Surely the LORD has done great things!
Joel.2.21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Joel.2.21
Fear not, earth! Be glad and celebrate! GOD has done great things.
Joel.2.21
Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things.
Joel.2.21
Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the LORD has done marvelous things!
Joel.2.21
Don't be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the LORD has done great things.
Joel.2.22
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Joel.2.22
Fear not, wild animals! The fields and meadows are greening up. The trees are bearing fruit again: a bumper crop of fig trees and vines!
Joel.2.22
Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Joel.2.22
Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
Joel.2.22
Don't be afraid, you animals of the field! The pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with luscious fruit; fig trees and grapevines will flourish once more.
Joel.2.23
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
Joel.2.23
Children of Zion, celebrate! Be glad in your GOD. He's giving you a teacher to train you how to live right--Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as he used to do.
Joel.2.23
Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
Joel.2.23
Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you-- The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.
Joel.2.23
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rains he sends are an expression of his grace. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.
Joel.2.24
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
Joel.2.24
And plenty of food for your body--silos full of grain, casks of wine and barrels of olive oil. [JC]
Joel.2.24
The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
Joel.2.24
The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
Joel.2.24
The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil.
Joel.2.25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Joel.2.25
"I'll make up for the years of the locust, the great locust devastation--Locusts savage, locusts deadly, fierce locusts, locusts of doom, That great locust invasion I sent your way.
Joel.2.25
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - my great army that I sent among you.
Joel.2.25
"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Joel.2.25
The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
Joel.2.26
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Joel.2.26
You'll eat your fill of good food. You'll be full of praises to your GOD, The God who has set you back on your heels in wonder. Never again will my people be despised.
Joel.2.26
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
Joel.2.26
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.
Joel.2.26
Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced like this.
Joel.2.27
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Joel.2.27
You'll know without question that I'm in the thick of life with Israel, That I'm your GOD, yes, your GOD, the one and only real God. Never again will my people be despised.
Joel.2.27
Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
Joel.2.27
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.
Joel.2.27
Then you will know that I am here among my people of Israel and that I alone am the LORD your God. My people will never again be disgraced like this.
Joel.2.28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel.2.28
"And that's just the beginning: After that--"I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters. Your old men will dream, your young men will see visions.
Joel.2.28
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel.2.28
"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
Joel.2.28
"Then after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
Joel.2.29
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Joel.2.29
I'll even pour out my Spirit on the servants, men and women both.
Joel.2.29
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Joel.2.29
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Joel.2.29
In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, men and women alike.
Joel.2.30
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Joel.2.30
I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below: Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
Joel.2.30
I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
Joel.2.30
"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
Joel.2.30
"I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth--blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
Joel.2.31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Joel.2.31
the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Judgment Day of GOD, the Day tremendous and awesome.
Joel.2.31
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Joel.2.31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
Joel.2.31
The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives.
Joel.2.32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Joel.2.32
Whoever calls, "Help, GOD!' gets help. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be a great rescue--just as GOD said. Included in the survivors are those that GOD calls.
Joel.2.32
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.
Joel.2.32
And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
Joel.2.32
And anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the LORD has said. These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called.
