5. They roar over mountainslike noisy chariots,or a mighty armyready for battle.They are a forest firethat feasts on straw.
6. The very sight of themis frightening.
7. They climb over wallslike warriors;they march in columnsand never turn aside.
8. They charge straight ahead,without pushing each other;even arrows and spearscannot make them retreat.
9. They swarm over city wallsand enter our homes;they crawl in through windows,just like thieves.
10. They make the earth trembleand the heavens shake;the sun and moon turn dark,and stars stop shining.
11. The Lord God leads this armyof countless troops,and they obey his commands.The day of his judgmentis so terriblethat no one can stand it.
12. The Lord said:It isn't too late.You can still return to mewith all your heart.Start crying and mourning!Go without eating.
13. Don't rip your clothesto show your sorrow.Instead, turn back to mewith broken hearts.I am merciful, kind, and caring.I don't easily lose my temper,and I don't like to punish.
14. I am the Lord your God.Perhaps I will change my mindand treat you with mercy.Then you will be blessedwith enough grain and winefor offering sacrifices to me.
15. Sound the trumpet on Zion!Call the people together.Show your sorrowby going without food.
16. Make sure that everyoneis fit to worship me.Bring adults, children, babies,and even bring newlywedsfrom their festivities.
17. Tell my servants, the priests,to cry inside the templeand to offer this prayernear the altar:“Save your people, Lord God!Don't let foreign nationsmake jokes about us.Don't let them laugh and ask,‘Where is your God?’ ”
18. The Lord was deeply concernedabout his landand had pity on his people.
19. In answer to their prayershe said,“I will give you enough grain,wine, and olive oilto satisfy your needs.No longer will I let yoube insulted by the nations.
20. An army attacked from the north,but I will chase itinto a scorching desert.There it will rot and stinkfrom the Dead Seato the Mediterranean.”The Lord works wonders