Return to Yahweh
12 “Yet even now,” declares Yahweh,
“aReturn to Me with all your heart
And with bfasting, weeping, and wailing;
13 And atear your heart and not byour garments.”
Now return to Yahweh your God,
For He is cgracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness,
And drelenting concerning evil.
14 Who knows awhether He will not turn and relent
And leave a bblessing behind Him,
Even ca grain offering and a drink offering
For Yahweh your God?
15 aBlow a trumpet in Zion,
bSet apart a fast as holy, call for a solemn assembly,
16 Gather the people, aset apart the congregation as holy,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the infants and the nursing babies.
Let the bbridegroom come out of his room
And the bride out of her bridal chamber.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh,
Weep abetween the porch and the altar,
And let them say, “bPity Your people, O Yahweh,
And do not make Your inheritance a creproach,
A byword among the nations.
Why should they among the peoples say,
‘dWhere is their God?’”