Joel 3

1For look, in those days and at that time, when I return to restore the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

2I will gather all nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat, and there I will enter into judgment with them for my people and my inheritance Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and they have divided my land.

3They cast lots for my people, gave a boy for a prostitute, sold a girl for wine, and drank.

4And what are you to me, Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia—the recompense you repay me? If you repay me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your own head.

5Because you took my silver and my gold, and brought my precious fine treasures into your temples.

6You have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the children of the Greeks in order to remove them far from their border.

7Behold, I will rouse them from the place to which you sold them, and return your recompense on your heads.

8I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of Judah's sons, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant nation, for Yahweh has spoken.

9Declare this among the nations: Sanctify war! Rouse the champions. Let all the warriors approach; let them advance.

10Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am mighty."

11Assemble yourselves and come, all you nations from every side, and gather there—Yahweh, bring your champions down there.

12Let the nations rouse themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations around.

13Thrust in the sickle, for the harvest has ripened. Come, tread down, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow—for their wickedness is great.

14Throngs, throngs in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision.

15The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars gather up their brightness.

16Yahweh will roar from Zion and sound his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth will quake; but Yahweh will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the children of Israel.

17You will know that I am Yahweh your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will not pass through her anymore.

18And it will be in that day: mountains will drip new wine, hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters, a spring will come forth from the house of Yahweh, and it will water the valley of Shittim.

19Egypt will become a desolation, and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence against Judah's children, because they poured out innocent blood in their land.

20Judah will dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

21I will completely cleanse their blood, which I have not cleansed, and Yahweh dwells in Zion.