\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Joel}

{\MTB The Book of

\par }{\MT Joel



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The LORD’s\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:1 }{\FT{When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).}}} 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 }{\FT{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 burned 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 defenses

\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 among 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 }{\FT{“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 among 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 among 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 among 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 on 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 among 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 judgment on them there for my people,

\par }{\QB and for my heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among 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 among 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 plowshares 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 }