Joel 3:1-16

The Nations Judged 1In Hebrew texts 3:1-21 is numbered 4:1-21. “In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

2I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat means the Lord judges; also in verse 12. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

3They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine to drink. 4“Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. 5For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples. Or palaces

6You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland. 7“See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done.

8I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away.” The LORD has spoken.

9Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

10Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, “I am strong!”

11Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, LORD !

12“Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.

13Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!”

14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

16The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.