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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. <a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. <a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. <a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. <a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe. <a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And rend your heart and not your garments.&#8221 Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. <a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil. <a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And tear your heart and not your garments.” Now return to Yahweh your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting concerning evil. <a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments.” Now return [in repentance] to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [faithful to His covenant with His people]; And He relents [His sentence of] evil [when His people genuinely repent]. <a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster. <a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. <a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil. <a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't rip your clothes to show your sorrow. Instead, turn back to me with broken hearts. I am merciful, kind, and caring. I don't easily lose my temper, and I don't like to punish. <a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God, for he is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and repenteth him of the evil. <a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Tear your hearts, not your clothes. Return to the LORD your God. He is merciful and compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive and to change his plans about disaster. <a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough." Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish. <a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Tear your hearts, not your garments; and turn back to the LORD your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to become angry, overflowing in gracious love, and grieves about this evil. <a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. <a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love--often relenting from calamitous punishment. <a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. <a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil. <a href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Tear your heart and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And tear your heart, and not your garments, "" And turn back to your God YHWH, "" For He [is] gracious and merciful, "" Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, "" And relenting from evil. <a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn back unto Jehovah your God, For gracious and merciful is He, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, And He hath repented concerning the evil. <a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn back to Jehovah your God: for he is merciful and compassionate, slow of anger and of much kindness, and lamenting on account of the evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. <a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and convert to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and merciful, patient and full of compassion, and steadfast despite ill will. <a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. <a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God; for he is gracious and merciful, patient and of great kindness, and he averts disaster. <a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And rip your hearts, and not your robes, and be turned to LORD JEHOVAH your God because he is merciful and he is cherishing, and his Spirit is patient and his grace abundant, and he changes evil<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn unto the LORD your God; For He is gracious and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy, And repenteth Him of the evil. <a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is merciful and compassionate, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy, and repents of evils. <a href="/parallel/joel/2-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEU9eLLsIkI?start=350" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Return with All Your Heart</a> 12“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” 13<a href="/hebrew/7167.htm" title="7167: wə·qir·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To tear. A primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively.">So rend</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">your hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: biḡ·ḏê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">your garments,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·šū·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/2587.htm" title="2587: ḥan·nūn (Adj-ms) -- Gracious. From chanan; gracious.">is gracious</a> <a href="/hebrew/7349.htm" title="7349: wə·ra·ḥūm (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Compassionate. From racham; compassionate.">and compassionate,</a> <a href="/hebrew/750.htm" title="750: ’e·reḵ (Adj-msc) -- Long. From 'arak; long.">slow</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pa·yim (N-md) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">to anger,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: wə·raḇ- (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">abounding</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">in loving devotion.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5162.htm" title="5162: wə·ni·ḥām (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. Breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. to pity, console or rue; or to avenge.">And He relents</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">sending disaster.</a> 14Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a> Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” <a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8-14</a> The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. / He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. / He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. ... <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2</a> So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a> They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. <a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a> ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ <a href="/psalms/86-15.htm">Psalm 86:15</a> But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. <a href="/psalms/145-8.htm">Psalm 145:8</a> The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. <a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a> Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! <a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a> Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. <a href="/hosea/6-1.htm">Hosea 6:1</a> Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. <a href="/2_chronicles/30-9.htm">2 Chronicles 30:9</a> For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.” <a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">Jeremiah 3:12</a> Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-19</a> Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a> Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, <a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a> Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil.rend.<a href="/2_kings/22-19.htm">2 Kings 22:19</a> Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.<a href="/psalms/34-18.htm">Psalm 34:18</a> The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.<a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17</a> The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.your garments.<a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Genesis 37:29,34</a> And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes… <a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11</a> Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:<a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27</a> And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.for.<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6,7</a> And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … <a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a> The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.<a href="/psalms/86-5.htm">Psalm 86:5,15</a> For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee… slow.<a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a> And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.<a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8</a> The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.<a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Nahum 1:3</a> The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.and repenteth.<a href="/psalms/106-45.htm">Psalm 106:45</a> And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.<a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7,8</a> At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; … <a href="/amos/7-2.htm">Amos 7:2-6</a> And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/daniel/11-13.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/daniel/9-14.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm">Compassionate</a> <a href="/hosea/13-1.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hosea/13-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/daniel/3-21.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-16.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/joel/2-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/hosea/12-6.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/daniel/9-9.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/hosea/12-2.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/daniel/11-17.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/hosea/11-3.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-16.htm">Relenting</a> <a href="/hosea/13-9.htm">Rend</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">Repenteth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-4.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-11.htm">Slow</a> <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/joel/2-23.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/amos/3-6.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/amos/2-16.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Compassionate</a> <a href="/joel/3-19.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Full</a> <a href="/amos/2-8.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/amos/2-16.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/joel/2-14.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/joel/3-21.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/joel/2-14.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/joel/3-9.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-6.htm">Relenting</a> <a href="/micah/1-4.htm">Rend</a> <a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Repenteth</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Slow</a> <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/joel/2-14.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/joel/2-22.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Joel 2</div>1. <a href="/joel/2-1.htm">He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.</a> 12. <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">He exhorts to repentance;</a> 15. <a href="/joel/2-15.htm">prescribes a fast;</a> 18. <a href="/joel/2-18.htm">promises a blessing thereon.</a> 21. <a href="/joel/2-21.htm">He comforts Zion with present,</a> 28. <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">and future blessings.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joel/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So rend your hearts and not your garments In ancient Israel, tearing one's garments was a traditional sign of mourning or repentance (<a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a>, <a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11</a>). However, God calls for a deeper, more sincere repentance that goes beyond outward expressions. This phrase emphasizes the importance of inner transformation and genuine contrition over mere ritualistic displays. The heart, in biblical terms, represents the center of one's being and will (<a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a>). This call to "rend your hearts" aligns with the prophetic tradition that prioritizes internal change over external rituals (<a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>, <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8</a>).and return to the LORD your God The call to return signifies repentance and a turning back to God, acknowledging Him as the covenantal Lord. This is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where Israel is often called to return to God after periods of disobedience (<a href="/hosea/14.htm">Hosea 14:1</a>, <a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a>). The phrase underscores the relational aspect of the covenant between God and His people, highlighting God's desire for restoration and reconciliation (<a href="/jeremiah/24-7.htm">Jeremiah 24:7</a>).For He is gracious and compassionate These attributes of God are foundational to His character and are frequently mentioned throughout Scripture (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>, <a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8</a>). God's grace and compassion are central to His dealings with humanity, offering forgiveness and mercy despite human failings. This assurance of God's nature provides the basis for hope and encourages repentance, knowing that God is willing to forgive and restore.slow to anger This phrase reflects God's patience and long-suffering nature (<a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a>, <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a>). Unlike human anger, which can be impulsive and unjust, God's anger is measured and just, giving ample opportunity for repentance. This characteristic of God is a testament to His desire for people to turn from their ways and seek Him, rather than face judgment.abounding in loving devotion The Hebrew word "hesed" often translated as "loving devotion" or "steadfast love," conveys God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people (Psalm 136, <a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a>). This love is not based on human merit but on God's faithfulness and promises. It is a love that endures and remains constant, providing a foundation for trust and reliance on God.And He relents from sending disaster God's willingness to relent from sending disaster demonstrates His mercy and readiness to forgive when people repent (<a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Jonah 3:10</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-8</a>). This does not imply a changeable nature but rather a consistent response to human repentance. It highlights the dynamic relationship between divine justice and mercy, where God's ultimate desire is for redemption rather than punishment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joel.htm">Joel</a> A prophet in the Old Testament, Joel is the author of the book that bears his name. He is known for calling the people of Judah to repentance and warning them of the coming "Day of the LORD." 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, where Joel directed his prophecies. The people of Judah were called to repentance due to their spiritual and moral failings. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who is characterized by grace, compassion, and patience. Joel calls the people to return to Him. 4. <a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a> A central theme in <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a>, where the people are urged to genuinely turn back to God, not just through outward expressions but with sincere hearts. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_the_lord.htm">The Day of the LORD</a> A significant event in biblical prophecy, often associated with judgment and restoration. Joel warns of its approach and the need for repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/heartfelt_repentance.htm">Heartfelt Repentance</a> True repentance involves a change of heart, not just external actions. God desires sincerity and transformation from within. <a href="/topical/g/god's_character.htm">God's Character</a> Understanding God's nature as gracious and compassionate encourages us to return to Him, knowing He is ready to forgive and restore. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_repentance.htm">The Urgency of Repentance</a> The call to repentance is urgent because of the impending "Day of the LORD." We must not delay in turning back to God. <a href="/topical/r/relational_restoration.htm">Relational Restoration</a> Repentance is about restoring our relationship with God. It is an invitation to return to a loving and forgiving Father. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_ritualism.htm">Avoiding Ritualism</a> The emphasis on rending hearts rather than garments warns against empty religious rituals. Our faith should be lived out genuinely.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joel 2</a> <a href="/q/why_feel_abandoned_if_god_is_with_you.htm">Why do you feel abandoned when God is with you?</a> <a href="/q/what's_magic's_role_in_revelation.htm">Should you repent and be baptized?</a> <a href="/q/should_you_repent_and_be_baptized.htm">Should you repent and be baptized?</a> <a href="/q/what_questions_do_you_have_about_joel.htm">What questions do you have about Joel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Repenteth him of the evil--i.e., in the sense that of His own will He would not the death of a sinner. The judgments of God, like His mercies, are conditional. As the "Lord repented (i.e., grieved) that He had made Saul king over Israel," and revoked the appointment, so now He repenteth Him of the evil which will fall on His people if impenitent. If they will repent, it may be He will do it not.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. Where there is real contrition of spirit because of sin, outward manifestations are both suitable and proper, though not by way of display or for sake of ostentation. But they were reminded, on the other hand, that mere outward manifestations avail nothing unless there also exist the deep inward feelings which are in harmony with and naturally underlie those manifestations. Out of such inward feelings those outward expressions properly originate; hence, after the exhortation to fasting and weeping and mourning, it is added, "Rend your heart, and not your garments." To rend the garments, among the Jews, was a token of great grief, and imported that the individual who did so was overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, or had encountered some terrible calamity. Thus we read of Jacob, on receiving his son Joseph's coat of many colours, rending his clothes, putting sackcloth on his loins, and mourning for his son many days (comp. also <a href="/2_chronicles/34-27.htm">2 Chronicles 34:27</a>). In these instances the sorrow was deep and genuine and bitter. It was possible, however, to exhibit the external signs of grief without any such corresponding inward feeling of sorrow; just as it is still possible for men to draw near to God with their lips while the heart is far from him. To prevent such hypocritical pretence they are commanded to rend their hearts, and not their garments only. There was no impropriety in rending their garments in token of great grief for sin and of great indignation against themselves for their folly, but the command imports that they were not to rest in the outward sign without the reality of the thing signified. For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. To the exhortation he subjoins the encouraging manifestation of the Divine character with which God, ages before, had favoured Moses, substituting for "truth" the trait of character best suited to the present emergency. He is not an absolute God or an inexorable God, but their covenant God and Father who invites them even to himself, against whom they had so heinously sinned and whom they had so grievously offended. <a href="/commentaries/joel/2-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So rend וְקִרְע֤וּ (wə·qir·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7167.htm">Strong's 7167: </a> To rend your hearts לְבַבְכֶם֙ (lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> Inner man, mind, will, heart and not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not your garments, בִּגְדֵיכֶ֔ם (biḡ·ḏê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage and return וְשׁ֖וּבוּ (wə·šū·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God. אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction He ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is gracious חַנּ֤וּן (ḥan·nūn) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2587.htm">Strong's 2587: </a> Gracious and compassionate, וְרַחוּם֙ (wə·ra·ḥūm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7349.htm">Strong's 7349: </a> Compassionate slow אֶ֤רֶךְ (’e·reḵ) Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_750.htm">Strong's 750: </a> Long to anger, אַפַּ֙יִם֙ (’ap·pa·yim) Noun - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire and abounding וְרַב־ (wə·raḇ-) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great in loving devotion. חֶ֔סֶד (ḥe·seḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty And He relents וְנִחָ֖ם (wə·ni·ḥām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5162.htm">Strong's 5162: </a> To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge from עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against sending disaster. הָרָעָֽה׃ (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:13 Tear your heart and not your garments (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:14" /></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><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>