y climb up into the houses;
They enter in at the windows like a thief.
The earth quaketh before them;
The heavens tremble:
The sun and the moon are darkened,
And the stars withdraw their shining.

And the LORD uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very
great; for he is strong that executeth his word: for the Day of the LORD
is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

iii

Repentance at the Last Moment

THE LORD

Yet even now, saith the LORD, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and
with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 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.

THE PEOPLE

Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing
behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your
God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Sanctify a fast,
Call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the old men,
Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts:
Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber,
And the bride out of her closet.

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and
the altar, and let them say:

PRIESTS

Spare thy people, O LORD,
And give not thine heritage to reproach,
That the nations should use a byword against them,
Wherefore should they say among the peoples,
Where is their God?

iv

Relief and Restoration

Then was the LORD jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

THE LORD

Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be
satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the
nations: but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will
drive him into a land barren and desolate, his forepart into the eastern
sea, and his hinder part into the western sea; and his stink shall come
up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for the LORD hath done great
things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the
wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and
the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and
rejoice in the LORD your God: for he giveth you the former rain in just
measure, and he causet