Joel 3:1-16 ▼

1 [“] Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) from captivity (restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem),

2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (the LORD judges). There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel (he wrestles with God), whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.

3 They cast lots for My people; they bartered a boy for a prostitute and sold a girl for wine to drink.

4 Now what do you⁺ have against Me, O Tyre (a rock), Sidon (hunting), and all the regions (circuit) of Philistia (land of sojourners)? Are you⁺ rendering against Me a recompense? If you⁺ retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your⁺ recompense upon your⁺ heads.

5 For you⁺ took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your⁺ temples (palaces).

6 You⁺ sold the people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) to the Greeks (to the peoples of Javan), to send them far from their homeland.

7 Behold, I will rouse them from the places to which you⁺ sold them; I will return your⁺ recompense upon your⁺ heads.

8 I will sell your⁺ sons and daughters into the hands of the people of Judah (praised), and they will sell them to the Sabeans—to a distant nation.” Indeed, the LORD {YHWH} has spoken.

9 Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack!

10 Beat your⁺ plowshares into swords and your⁺ pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’

11 Come quickly, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves. Bring down Your mighty ones, O LORD {YHWH}.

12 Let the nations be roused and advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), for there I will sit down to judge all the nations on every side.

13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe [the harvest has come]. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because their wickedness is great.

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD {Yowm YHWH} is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine.

16 The LORD {YHWH} will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem (city of peace); heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel (he wrestles with God).