Joel · American Standard Version (1901)
Joel 2 American Standard Version (1901)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh comes, for it is close at hand:
2 a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
2 A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn spreading on the mountains, a great and strong people; there has never been the like, neither will there be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them.
3 A fire devours before them, and behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.
4 Their appearance is as the appearance of horses, and they run as horsemen.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains, they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, like a strong people set in battle array.
6 At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.
6 At their presence the peoples are in anguish. All faces have grown pale.
7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
7 They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don’t swerve off course.
8 Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off [their course].
8 One doesn’t jostle another. They each march in their own path. They burst through the defenses and don’t break ranks.
9 They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.
9 They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves.
10 The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
10 The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
11 And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
11 Yahweh thunders his voice before his army, for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it?
12 Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
12 “Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
13 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.
13 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.
14 Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.
16 gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts. Let the bridegroom go out of his room, and the bride out of her chamber.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, Yahweh, and don’t give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
18 Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.
18 Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.
19 And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;
19 Yahweh answered his people, “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied with them; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
20 but I will remove far off from you the northern [army], and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.
20 But I will remove the northern army far away from you, and will drive it into a barren and desolate land, its front into the eastern sea, and its back into the western sea; and its stench will come up, and its bad smell will rise.” Surely he has done great things.
21 Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.
21 Land, don’t be afraid. Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.
22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness spring up, for the tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first [month].
23 “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahweh, your God; for he gives you the early rain in just measure, and he causes the rain to come down for you, the early rain and the latter rain, as before.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar, my great army, which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.
26 You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and will praise the name of Yahweh, your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and my people will never again be disappointed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.
27 You will know that I am among Israel, and that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; and my people will never again be disappointed.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
28 “It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.
30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh.
31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.
32 It will happen that whoever will call on Yahweh’s name shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh has said, and among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls.
Cross references (32)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Joel 2:15; Joel 1:15; 1 Peter 4:7; Malachi 4:1; Zephaniah 1:14
- 2 Joel 1:6; Zephaniah 1:14–15; Joel 2:10–11; Amos 5:18–20; Joel 2:5
- 3 Isaiah 51:3; Genesis 2:8; Joel 1:19–20; Zechariah 7:14; Amos 7:4
- 4 Revelation 9:7
- 5 Isaiah 5:24; Revelation 9:9; Isaiah 30:30; Matthew 3:12; Nahum 2:3–4
- 6 Nahum 2:10; Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 30:6; Lamentations 4:8; Psalm 119:83
- 7 Proverbs 30:27; Jeremiah 5:10; 2 Samuel 2:18–19; Isaiah 5:26–29; 2 Samuel 1:23
- 8 2 Chronicles 23:10; Job 33:18; Nehemiah 4:23; 2 Chronicles 32:5; Nehemiah 4:17
- 9 Jeremiah 9:21; John 10:1; Exodus 10:6
- 10 Matthew 24:29; Isaiah 13:10; Joel 3:15–16; Psalm 18:7; Acts 2:20
- 11 Malachi 3:2; Nahum 1:6; Revelation 18:8; Joel 3:16; Jeremiah 30:7
- 12 James 4:8–9; Isaiah 55:6–7; 2 Chronicles 7:13–14; Hosea 12:6; Jeremiah 29:12–13
- 13 Psalm 86:15; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15; Exodus 34:6–7; Matthew 5:3–4
- 14 Jonah 3:9; Haggai 2:19; 2 Samuel 12:22; 2 Kings 19:4; Amos 5:15
- 15 Joel 1:14; Joel 2:1; Numbers 10:3; 1 Kings 21:12; 1 Kings 21:9
- 16 2 Chronicles 20:13; 2 Chronicles 29:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Samuel 16:5; Exodus 19:22
- 17 Psalm 115:2; Psalm 79:10; Ezekiel 8:16; Hosea 14:2; Exodus 34:9
- 18 Zechariah 8:2; Psalm 103:13; Zechariah 1:14; James 5:11; Lamentations 3:22
- 19 Ezekiel 34:29; Ezekiel 36:15; Jeremiah 31:12; Isaiah 62:8–9; Joel 2:24
- 20 Zechariah 14:8; Amos 4:10; Isaiah 34:3; Deuteronomy 11:24; Ezekiel 47:18
- 21 Zephaniah 3:16–17; Isaiah 54:4; Psalm 126:1–3; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Samuel 12:16
- 22 Zechariah 8:12; Psalm 65:12; Isaiah 51:3; Psalm 67:6; Amos 9:14–15
- 23 James 5:7–8; Philippians 4:4; Leviticus 26:4; Hosea 6:3; Deuteronomy 11:14
- 24 Malachi 3:10; Amos 9:13; Joel 3:18; Joel 3:13; Leviticus 26:10
- 25 Zechariah 10:6; Joel 1:4–7; Joel 2:2–11
- 26 Romans 10:11; Psalm 22:26; Romans 5:5; Deuteronomy 12:7; Isaiah 49:23
- 27 Ezekiel 37:26–28; Leviticus 26:11–12; Zephaniah 3:17; Ezekiel 39:28; Isaiah 45:5
- 28 Acts 2:16–21; Ezekiel 39:29; Isaiah 32:15; Acts 2:39; Acts 2:2–4
- 29 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11
- 30 Acts 2:19–20; Luke 21:11; Matthew 24:29; Luke 21:25–26; Judges 20:40
- 31 Revelation 6:12–13; Matthew 24:29; Malachi 4:1; Malachi 4:5; Joel 3:15
- 32 Romans 10:11–14; Acts 2:20–21; Isaiah 46:13; Romans 11:26; Jeremiah 33:3
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… for it was the third hour of the day; but that this was what had been spoken by the prophet: "It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and they shall prophesy." The God, therefore, who did promise by the prophet, that He would send His Spirit …
… pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream, and your young men shall see visions: and even on my servants and mine handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit." Chapter 31 — Of the Predictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ, in… …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Do thou also then groan, even as that holy one, I forbid it not. "Rend," as the prophet commanded, "thine heart, and not thy garments." Out of deeps call upon God, for it is said, "Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord." From beneath, out of the heart, draw forth a voice, make thy prayer a …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
"The day of the Lord," Scripture says, "is great and very terrible," and elsewhere "Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord: to what end is it for you?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)