2:12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says,
“return to me with all your heart –
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Tear your hearts, 1
not just your garments!”
2:13 Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to anger and boundless in loyal love 2 – often relenting from calamitous punishment. 3
1 sn The figurative language calls for genuine repentance, and not merely external ritual that goes through the motions.
2 tn Heb “and great of loyal love.”
3 tn Heb “and he relents from calamity.”