2:1. Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain,
let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the
Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand.
The day of the Lord.... That is, the time when he will execute justice
upon sinners.
2:2. A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and
whirlwinds: a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the
mountains: the like to it hath not been from the beginning, nor shall
be after it, even to the years of generation and generation.
A numerous and strong people.... The Assyrians, or Chaldeans. Others
understand all this of an army of locusts laying waste the land.
2:3. Before the face thereof a devouring fire, and behind it a burning
flame: the land is like a garden of pleasure before it, and behind it a
desolate wilderness, neither is there any one that can escape it.
2:4. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and they
shall run like horsemen.
2:5. They shall leap like the noise of chariots upon the tops of
mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, as
a strong people prepared to battle.
2:6. At their presence the people shall be in grievous pains: all faces
shall be made like a kettle.
2:7. They shall run like valiant men: like men of war they shall scale
the wall: the men shall march every one on his way, and they shall not
turn aside from their ranks.
2:8. No one shall press upon his brother: they shall walk every one in
his path: yea, and they shall fall through the windows, and shall take
no harm.
2:9. They shall enter into the city: they shall run upon the wall, they
shall climb up the houses, they shall come in at the windows, as a
thief.
2:10. At their presence the earth hath trembled, the heavens are moved:
the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their
shining.
2:11. And the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army:
for his armies are exceedingly great, for they are strong, and execute
his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who
can stand it?
2:12. Now, therefore, saith the Lord. Be converted to me with all your
heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning.
2:13. 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.
2:14. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing
behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?
2:15. Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn
assembly,
2:16. Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the
ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the
breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of
her bridal chamber.
2:17. Between the porch and the altar the priests, the Lord’s
ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people:
and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule
over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God?
2:18. The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his
people.
2:19. And the Lord answered, and said to his people: Behold I will send
you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I
will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
2:20. And I will remove far off from you the northern enemy: and I will
drive him into a land unpassable, and desert, with his face towards the
east sea, and his hinder part towards the utmost sea: and his stench
shall ascend, and his rottenness shall go up, because he hath done
proudly.
The northern enemy.... Some understand this of Holofernes and his army:
others, of the locusts.
2:21. Fear not, O land, be glad, and rejoice: for the Lord hath done
great things.
2:22. Fear not, ye beasts of the fields: for the beautiful places of
the wilderness are sprung, for the tree hath brought forth its fruit,
the fig tree, and the vine have yielded their strength.
2:23. And you, O children of Sion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord
your God: because he hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will
make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in the
beginning.
2:24. And the floors shall be filled with wheat, and the presses shall
overflow with wine, and oil.
2:25. And I will restore to you the years which the locust, and the
bruchus, and the mildew, and the palmerworm hath eaten; my great host
which I sent upon you.
2:26. And you shall eat in plenty, and shall be filled and you shall
praise the name of the Lord your God; who hath done wonders with you,
and my people shall not be confounded for ever.
2:27. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: and I am the
Lord your God, and there is none besides: and my people shall not be
confounded forever.
2:28. And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my
spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy:
your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
2:29. Moreover, upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will
pour forth my spirit.
2:30. And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire,
and vapour of smoke.
2:31. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood:
before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come.
2:32. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon
the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion, and in
Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue
whom the Lord shall call.