Discovery BoxJoel 2:12-14 
Context2:12 “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
2:14 Who knows?
Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve, 4
and leave blessing in his wake 5 –
a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the Lord your God! 6
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.”
4 tn Heb “turn” or “turn back.”
5 tn Heb “leave a blessing behind him.”
6 tn The phrase “for you to offer” does not appear in the Hebrew, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
