\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Joel}

{\MT Joel



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The Invasion of Locusts
\par }
{\MM \VerseOne{1}This is the word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel:


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Hear this, O elders;

\par }{\QB and give ear, all who dwell in the land.

\par }{\Q Has anything like this ever happened in your days

\par }{\QB or in the days of your fathers?


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Tell it to your children;

\par }{\QB let your children tell it to their children,

\par }{\QB and their children to the next generation.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}What the devouring locust has left,

\par }{\QB the swarming locust has eaten;

\par }{\Q what the swarming locust has left,

\par }{\QB the young locust has eaten;

\par }{\Q and what the young locust has left,

\par }{\QB the destroying locust has eaten.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:4 }{\FT{The precise identification of the four kinds of locusts mentioned here is uncertain.}}}


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Wake up, you drunkards, and weep;

\par }{\QB wail, all you drinkers of wine,

\par }{\Q because of the sweet wine,

\par }{\QB for it has been cut off from your mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}For a nation has invaded My land,

\par }{\QB powerful and without number;

\par }{\Q its teeth are the teeth of a lion,

\par }{\QB and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}It has laid waste My grapevine

\par }{\QB and splintered My fig tree.

\par }{\Q It has stripped off the bark and thrown it away;

\par }{\QB the branches have turned white.


\par }{\SH A Call to Mourning
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Wail like a virgin dressed in sackcloth,

\par }{\QB grieving for the husband of her youth.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Grain and drink offerings have been cut off

\par }{\QB from the house of the LORD;

\par }{\Q the priests are in mourning,

\par }{\QB those who minister before the LORD.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The field is ruined;

\par }{\QB the land mourns.

\par }{\Q For the grain is destroyed,

\par }{\QB the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Be dismayed, O farmers,

\par }{\QB wail, O vinedressers,

\par }{\Q over the wheat and barley,

\par }{\QB because the harvest of the field has perished.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The grapevine is dried up,

\par }{\QB and the fig tree is withered;

\par }{\Q the pomegranate, palm, and apple—

\par }{\QB all the trees of the orchard—are withered.

\par }{\QB Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.


\par }{\SH A Call to Repentance
\par }
{\R (Amos 5:4–15; Zephaniah 2:1–3; Luke 13:1–5)

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;

\par }{\QB wail, O ministers of the altar.

\par }{\Q Come, spend the night in sackcloth,

\par }{\QB O ministers of my God,

\par }{\Q because the grain and drink offerings

\par }{\QB are withheld from the house of your God.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Consecrate a fast;

\par }{\QB proclaim a solemn assembly!

\par }{\Q Gather the elders

\par }{\QB and all the residents of the land

\par }{\Q to the house of the LORD your God,

\par }{\QB and cry out to the LORD.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Alas for the day!

\par }{\QB For the Day of the LORD is near,

\par }{\Q and it will come

\par }{\QB as destruction from the Almighty.\FTNT{†}{{\FR 1:15 }{\FT{Hebrew Shaddai}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Has not the food been cut off

\par }{\QB before our very eyes—

\par }{\Q joy and gladness

\par }{\QB from the house of our God?


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods;

\par }{\QB the storehouses are in ruins;

\par }{\Q the granaries are broken down,

\par }{\QB for the grain has withered away.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}How the cattle groan!

\par }{\QB The herds wander in confusion

\par }{\Q because they have no pasture.

\par }{\QB Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}To You, O LORD, I call,

\par }{\QB for fire has consumed the open pastures

\par }{\QB and flames have scorched all the trees of the field.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Even the beasts of the field pant for You,

\par }{\QB for the streams of water have dried up,

\par }{\QB and fire has consumed the open pastures.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH The Army of Locusts
\par }
{\R (Amos 7:1–9)

\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Blow the ram’s horn in Zion;

\par }{\QB sound the alarm on My holy mountain!

\par }{\Q Let all who dwell in the land tremble,

\par }{\QB for the Day of the LORD is coming;

\par }{\QB indeed, it is near—


\par }{\Q \VS{2}a day of darkness and gloom,

\par }{\QB a day of clouds and blackness.

\par }{\Q Like the dawn overspreading the mountains

\par }{\QB a great and strong army appears,

\par }{\Q such as never was of old,

\par }{\QB nor will ever be in ages to come.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Before them a fire devours,

\par }{\QB and behind them a flame scorches.

\par }{\Q The land before them is like the Garden of Eden,

\par }{\QB but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—

\par }{\QB surely nothing will escape them.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Their appearance is like that of horses,

\par }{\QB and they gallop like swift steeds.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 2:4 }{\FT{Or like charioteers or like cavalry}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{5}With a sound like that of chariots

\par }{\QB they bound over the mountaintops,

\par }{\Q like the crackling of fire consuming stubble,

\par }{\QB like a mighty army deployed for battle.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Nations writhe in horror before them;

\par }{\QB every face turns pale.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}They charge like mighty men;

\par }{\QB they scale the walls like men of war.

\par }{\Q Each one marches in formation,

\par }{\QB not swerving from the course.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}They do not jostle one another;

\par }{\QB each proceeds in his path.

\par }{\Q They burst through the defenses,

\par }{\QB never breaking ranks.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}They storm the city;

\par }{\QB they run along the wall;

\par }{\Q they climb into houses,

\par }{\QB entering through windows like thieves.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Before them the earth quakes;

\par }{\QB the heavens tremble.

\par }{\Q The sun and moon grow dark,

\par }{\QB and the stars lose their brightness.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The LORD raises His voice

\par }{\QB in the presence of His army.

\par }{\Q Indeed, His camp is very large,

\par }{\QB for mighty are those who obey His command.

\par }{\Q For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful.

\par }{\QB Who can endure it?


\par }{\SH Return with All Your Heart
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}“Yet even now,”

\par }{\QB declares the LORD,

\par }{\Q “return to Me with all your heart,

\par }{\QB with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}So rend your hearts and not your garments,

\par }{\QB and return to the LORD your God.

\par }{\Q For He is gracious and compassionate,

\par }{\QB slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.\FTNT{†}{{\FR 2:13 }{\FT{Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.}}}

\par }{\QB And He relents from sending disaster.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Who knows? He may turn and relent

\par }{\QB and leave a blessing behind Him—

\par }{\Q grain and drink offerings

\par }{\QB for the LORD your God.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Blow the ram’s horn in Zion,

\par }{\QB consecrate a fast,

\par }{\QB proclaim a sacred assembly.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,

\par }{\QB assemble the aged, gather the children,

\par }{\QB even those nursing at the breast.

\par }{\Q Let the bridegroom leave his room,

\par }{\QB and the bride her chamber.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Let the priests who minister before the LORD

\par }{\QB weep between the portico and the altar,

\par }{\Q saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD,

\par }{\QB and do not make Your heritage a reproach,

\par }{\QB an object of scorn among the nations.

\par }{\Q Why should they say among the peoples,

\par }{\QB ‘Where is their God?’ ”


\par }{\SH Restoration Promised
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Then the LORD became jealous for His land,

\par }{\QB and He spared His people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}And the LORD answered His people:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q “Behold, I will send you

\par }{\QB grain, new wine, and oil,

\par }{\QB and by them you will be satisfied.

\par }{\Q I will never again make you

\par }{\QB a reproach among the nations.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}The northern army I will drive away from you,

\par }{\QB banishing it to a barren and desolate land,

\par }{\Q its front ranks into the Eastern Sea,\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 2:20 }{\FT{That is, the Dead Sea}}}

\par }{\QB and its rear guard into the Western Sea.\FTNT{§}{{\FR 2:20 }{\FT{That is, the Mediterranean Sea, also called the Great Sea}}}

\par }{\Q And its stench will rise;

\par }{\QB its foul odor will ascend.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q For He has done great things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Do not be afraid, O land;

\par }{\QB rejoice and be glad,

\par }{\QB for the LORD has done great things.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Do not be afraid, O beasts of the field,

\par }{\QB for the open pastures have turned green,

\par }{\Q the trees bear their fruit,

\par }{\QB and the fig tree and vine yield their best.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 2:22 }{\FT{Literally their strength}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Be glad, O children of Zion,

\par }{\QB and rejoice in the LORD your God,

\par }{\Q for He has given you the autumn rains

\par }{\QB for your vindication.

\par }{\Q He sends you showers,

\par }{\QB both autumn and spring rains, as before.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The threshing floors will be full of grain,

\par }{\QB and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—

\par }{\QB the swarming locust, the young locust,

\par }{\Q the destroying locust, and the devouring locust
\FTNT{†}{{\FR 2:25 }{\FT{The precise identification of the four kinds of insects mentioned here is uncertain.}}}—

\par }{\QB My great army that I sent against you.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}You will have plenty to eat,

\par }{\QB until you are satisfied.

\par }{\Q You will praise the name of the LORD your God,

\par }{\QB who has worked wonders for you.

\par }{\Q My people will never again

\par }{\QB be put to shame.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Then you will know that I am present in Israel

\par }{\QB and that I am the LORD your God,

\par }{\QB and there is no other.

\par }{\Q My people will never again

\par }{\QB be put to shame.


\par }{\SH I Will Pour Out My Spirit
\par }
{\R (Acts 2:14–36)

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.

\par }{\QB Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

\par }{\Q your old men will dream dreams,

\par }{\QB your young men will see visions.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Even on My menservants and maidservants,

\par }{\QB I will pour out My Spirit in those days.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth,

\par }{\QB blood and fire and columns
\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 2:30 }{\FT{LXX clouds or billows}}} of smoke.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}The sun will be turned to darkness

\par }{\QB and the moon to blood

\par }{\QB before the coming of the great and awesome
\FTNT{§}{{\FR 2:31 }{\FT{Or dreadful; LXX glorious}}} Day of the LORD.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD

\par }{\QB will be saved;\FTNT{*}{{\FR 2:32 }{\FT{Cited in Acts 2:17–21 and Romans 10:13}}}

\par }{\Q for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem

\par }{\QB there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised,

\par }{\QB among the remnant called by the LORD.




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH The LORD Judges the Nations
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}“Yes, in those days and at that time,

\par }{\QB when I restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity,\FTNT{*}{{\FR 3:1 }{\FT{Or restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{2}I will gather all the nations

\par }{\QB and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.\FTNT{†}{{\FR 3:2 }{\FT{Jehoshaphat means the LORD judges; also in verse 12.}}}

\par }{\Q There I will enter into judgment against them

\par }{\QB concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel,

\par }{\Q whom they have scattered among the nations

\par }{\QB as they divided up My land.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}They cast lots for My people;

\par }{\QB they bartered a boy for a prostitute

\par }{\QB and sold a girl for wine to drink.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\MM \VS{4}Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads.

\VS{5}For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples.\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 3:5 }{\FT{Or palaces}}}

\VS{6}You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks,\FTNT{§}{{\FR 3:6 }{\FT{Or to the peoples of Javan}}} to send them far from their homeland.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\MM \VS{7}Behold, I will rouse them from the places to which you sold them; I will return your recompense upon your heads.

\VS{8}I will sell your sons and daughters into the hands of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans—to a distant nation.”

\par }{\BB \par }
{\MM Indeed, the LORD has spoken.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\MM \VS{9}Proclaim this among the nations:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q “Prepare for war;

\par }{\QB rouse the mighty men;

\par }{\Q let all the men of war

\par }{\QB advance and attack!


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Beat your plowshares into swords

\par }{\QB and your pruning hooks into spears.

\par }{\QB Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Come quickly, all you surrounding nations,

\par }{\QB and gather yourselves.

\par }{\Q Bring down Your mighty ones,

\par }{\QB O LORD.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Let the nations be roused

\par }{\QB and advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,

\par }{\Q for there I will sit down

\par }{\QB to judge all the nations on every side.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Swing the sickle,

\par }{\QB for the harvest is ripe.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 3:13 }{\FT{LXX the harvest has come; see also Mark 4:29.}}}

\par }{\Q Come, trample the grapes,

\par }{\QB for the winepress is full;

\par }{\Q the wine vats overflow

\par }{\QB because their wickedness is great.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Multitudes, multitudes

\par }{\QB in the valley of decision!

\par }{\Q For the Day of the LORD is near

\par }{\QB in the valley of decision.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The sun and moon will grow dark,

\par }{\QB and the stars will no longer shine.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The LORD will roar from Zion

\par }{\QB and raise His voice from Jerusalem;

\par }{\QB heaven and earth will tremble.

\par }{\Q But the LORD will be a refuge for His people,

\par }{\QB a stronghold for the people of Israel.


\par }{\SH Blessings for God’s People
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Then you will know that I am the LORD your God,

\par }{\QB who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain.

\par }{\Q Jerusalem will be holy,

\par }{\QB never again to be overrun by foreigners.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine,

\par }{\QB and the hills will flow with milk.

\par }{\Q All the streams of Judah will run with water,

\par }{\QB and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD

\par }{\QB to water the Valley of Acacias.\FTNT{†}{{\FR 3:18 }{\FT{Or Valley of Shittim}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Egypt will become desolate,

\par }{\QB and Edom a desert wasteland,

\par }{\Q because of the violence done to the people of Judah,

\par }{\QB in whose land they shed innocent blood.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}But Judah will be inhabited forever,

\par }{\QB and Jerusalem from generation to generation.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}For I will avenge their blood,

\par }{\QB which I have not yet avenged.\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 3:21 }{\FT{Or For I will pardon their bloodguilt, which I have not yet pardoned.}}}”

\par }{\QR For the LORD dwells in Zion.

\par }