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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Joel 2 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/joel/2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/joel/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Joel 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../joel/1.htm" title="Joel 1">◄</a> Joel 2 <a href="../joel/3.htm" title="Joel 3">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/joel/2.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">The Warning of God</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>“Sound the ram’s horn in Zion!</p> <p class="poetry2">Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!</p> <p class="poetry2">Tremble, all of you<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:1 The Heb. lacks of you">a</a></span> inhabitants of the land,</p> <p class="poetry2">because the Day of the LORD is coming.</p> <p class="poetry2">Oh, how near it is!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>A day of doom and gloom,</p> <p class="poetry2">a day of clouds and shadows<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:2 Cf. Zeph 1:15b">b</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">like the dawn spreads out to cover the mountains—</p> <p class="poetry2">a people strong and robust.</p> <p class="poetry2">Never has there been anything like it,</p> <p class="poetry2">neither will anything follow to compare with<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:2 The Heb. lacks to compare with">c</a></span> it,</p> <p class="poetry2">even through the lifetime of generation upon generation.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:2 Lit. the years of generation and generation">d</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">Joel’s Description of the Approaching Army</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>“A fire blazes in their presence,</p> <p class="poetry2">and behind them a conflagration rages.</p> <p class="poetry2">Before they come, the land is like the garden in Eden;</p> <p class="poetry2">after they leave, there is only a barren wasteland.</p> <p class="poetry2">Indeed, nothing escapes them.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>As to their form, they’re like horses;</p> <p class="poetry2">and like chariot horses, how they can<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:4 The Heb. lacks can">e</a></span> run!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>They leap like the rumbling of chariots echoing from mountain tops,</p> <p class="poetry2">like the roar of wild fire that devours the chaff,</p> <p class="poetry2">as an army<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:5 Lit. people">f</a></span> firmly established in battle array.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>The people are terrified in their presence;</p> <p class="poetry2">every face grows pale.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:6 Lit. gathers blackness; cf. Nah 2:10b">g</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>They run like elite soldiers,</p> <p class="poetry2">climbing ramparts like men trained for war.</p> <p class="poetry2">Each man advances in proper order,</p> <p class="poetry2">never breaking rank.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Neither does a man crowd his fellow soldier;<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:8 Lit. his brother">h</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">each one marches in his own path.</p> <p class="poetry2">When they fall by the sword</p> <p class="poetry2">they are not injured.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>They swarm through the city,</p> <p class="poetry2">running upon its ramparts.</p> <p class="poetry2">Climbing atop the houses,</p> <p class="poetry2">they enter through windows like a thief.”</p> <p class="heading">Great is the Day of the LORD</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>“The land quivers in their presence;</p> <p class="poetry2">even the heavens shake.</p> <p class="poetry2">The sun and moon will grow dark,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the stars will stop shining.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The LORD will shout in the presence of his forces,</p> <p class="poetry2">because his encampment is very great;</p> <p class="poetry2">for powerful is he who carries out his message.</p> <p class="poetry2">Truly the Day of the LORD is great, and very terrifying.</p> <p class="poetry2">Who will be able to survive<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:11 Or comprehend">i</a></span> it?”</p> <p class="heading">Repentance and Restoration</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,</p> <p class="poetry2">“Turn back to me with your whole heart,</p> <p class="poetry2">with fasting, tears, and mourning.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Tear your hearts, not your garments;<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:13 An allusion to Heb. custom of tearing the outer clothing in response to mourning">j</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and turn back to the LORD your God.</p> <p class="poetry2">For he is gracious and compassionate,</p> <p class="poetry2">slow to become angry,</p> <p class="poetry2">overflowing in gracious love,</p> <p class="poetry2">and grieves about this evil.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Who knows? He will turn back and relent, will he not,</p> <p class="poetry2">leaving behind a blessing,</p> <p class="poetry2">even a grain offering and drink offering for the LORD your God?”</p> <p class="heading">A Public Call to a Solemn Assembly</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>“Sound the ram’s horn in Zion!</p> <p class="poetry2">Dedicate a fast and call for a solemn assembly!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Gather the people!</p> <p class="poetry2">Dedicate the congregation!</p> <p class="poetry2">Bring in the elders.</p> <p class="poetry2">Gather the youngsters</p> <p class="poetry2">and even the nursing infants.</p> <p class="poetry2">Call the bridegroom from his wedding preparations,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:16 Lit. Bring out the bridegroom from his wedding chamber">k</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and the bride from her dressing room.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>As they serve<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:17 The Heb. lacks As they serve">l</a></span> between the porch and the altar,</p> <p class="poetry2">let the priests and ministers of the LORD weep and pray:</p> <p class="poetry2">‘Spare your people, LORD,</p> <p class="poetry2">and do not make your heritage a disgrace</p> <p class="poetry2">so that nations ridicule them.</p> <p class="poetry2">Why should they say among the people,</p> <p class="poetry2">“Where is their God?”’”</p> <p class="heading">Response to the People’s Repentance</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Then the LORD will show great concern for his land,</p> <p class="poetry2">and will have compassion on his people.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>The LORD will say to his people,</p> <p class="poetry2">“Look! I will send you grain, new wine, and oil,</p> <p class="poetry2">and you will be content with them.</p> <p class="poetry2">I will no longer cause you to be a disgrace among the nations.”</p> <p class="heading">Destruction of the Invaders</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>“I will remove the northerners<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:20 Lit. the North; i.e. the army that comes from the North">m</a></span> from you,</p> <p class="poetry2">driving them<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:20 Lit. him; i.e. the northern army symbolized as an individual">n</a></span> to a barren and desolate land—</p> <p class="poetry2">the front toward the Dead Sea<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:20 Lit. the eastern sea">o</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and the back toward the Mediterranean.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:20 Lit. the western sea">p</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">Their stench will rise,</p> <p class="poetry2">and their stinking odor will ascend,</p> <p class="poetry2">because they have done great things.”</p> <p class="heading">The LORD’s Restoration of the Land</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>“Stop being afraid, land!</p> <p class="poetry2">Rejoice and be glad,</p> <p class="poetry2">because the LORD will do great things.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Stop being afraid, beasts of the field,</p> <p class="poetry2">because the desert pastures will bloom,</p> <p class="poetry2">the trees will bear their fruit,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the fig tree and vine will deliver their wealth.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>And so be glad, children of Zion,</p> <p class="poetry2">and rejoice in the LORD your God,</p> <p class="poetry2">because he has given you the right amount of early rain,</p> <p class="poetry2">and he will cause the rain to fall for you,</p> <p class="poetry2">both the early rain and the later rain as before.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The threshing floors will be smothered in grain,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the vats will overflow with wine and oil.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>“Then I will restore to you the years that the locust swarm devoured,</p> <p class="poetry2">as did the young locust, the other locusts, and the ravaging locust,</p> <p class="poetry2">that great army of mine that I sent among you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>You will have plenty to eat, and will be fully satisfied.</p> <p class="poetry2">You will praise the name of the LORD your God,</p> <p class="poetry2">who has performed wonders specifically for you.</p> <p class="poetry2">And my people will never be ashamed.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>As a result, you will know that I am in the midst of Israel;</p> <p class="poetry2">that I myself am the LORD your God—</p> <p class="poetry2">and there is none other!</p> <p class="poetry2">And my people will never be ashamed.”</p> <p class="heading">The Day of the LORD</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span> <span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="2:28 This verse is 3:1 in MT, v. 29 is 3:2, and so through the end of the chapter.">q</a></span> “Then it will come about at a later time</p> <p class="poetry2">that I will pour out my Spirit on every person.</p> <p class="poetry2">Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.</p> <p class="poetry2">Your elderly people will dream dreams,</p> <p class="poetry2">and your young people will see visions.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Also at that time I will pour out my Spirit</p> <p class="poetry2">upon men and women servants.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>I will display warnings in the heavens,</p> <p class="poetry2">and on the earth blood, fire, and columns of smoke.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>The sun will be given over to darkness,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the moon to blood,</p> <p class="poetry2">before the coming of the great and terrifying Day of the LORD.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/joel/2-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>And everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be delivered.</p> <p class="poetry2">For as the LORD has said,</p> <p class="poetry2">‘In Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape,</p> <p class="poetry2">the survivors whom the LORD is calling.’”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 2:1 The Heb. lacks <i>of you</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 2:2 Cf. Zeph 1:15b<br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 2:2 The Heb. lacks <i>to compare with</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 2:2 Lit. <i>the years of generation and generation</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 2:4 The Heb. lacks <i>can</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 2:5 Lit. <i>people</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 2:6 Lit. <i>gathers blackness</i>; cf. Nah 2:10b<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 2:8 Lit. <i>his brother</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 2:11 Or <i>comprehend</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 2:13 An allusion to Heb. custom of tearing the outer clothing in response to mourning<br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 2:16 Lit. <i>Bring out the bridegroom from his wedding chamber</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 2:17 The Heb. lacks <i>As they serve</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 2:20 Lit. <i>the North</i>; i.e. the army that comes from the North<br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 2:20 Lit. <i>him</i>; i.e. the northern army symbolized as an individual<br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 2:20 Lit. <i>the eastern sea</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 2:20 Lit. <i>the western sea</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 2:28 This verse is 3:1 in MT, v. 29 is 3:2, and so through the end of the chapter.<br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../joel/1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../joel/3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/joel/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>