Joel 2:13

Do not tear your clothes to show that you are sorry; instead, show [MET] that you are sorry.” Yahweh is merciful and kind; he does not quickly become angry; he faithfully loves people. He does not quickly become angry; instead, he greatly and faithfully loves you, and he does not like to punish you.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

In Context

12But Yahweh says, “In spite of these disasters that you have experienced, you can return to me with all your inner beings. Weep, and mourn, and ◄fast/abstain from eating food► to show that you are sorry for having abandoned me.

14No one knows [RHQ] if he will change his mind about punishing you and if instead he will act mercifully toward you. If he does that, he will bless you by giving you plenty of grain and wine in order that you can offer some of those things as sacrifices to him.

Read all of Joel 2

Cross References

Genesis 37:29When Reuben returned to the pit/cistern, he saw that his younger brother was not there. He was so grieved that he tore his clothes.

Exodus 34:6Then Yahweh passed in front of him/me and proclaimed, “I am Yahweh God. I always act mercifully and kindly toward people. I do not get angry quickly. I truly love people and I do what I promise to do for them, without changing.

2 Samuel 1:11Then David and all the men who were with him tore their clothes to show that they were very sad.

2 Kings 5:7When he arrived in Samaria, he gave the letter to the king of Israel. The king read the letter. Then, being very dismayed, the king tore his clothes and said, “I am not God [RHQ]! I am not able to enable people to live or to die [RHQ]! Why does the king who wrote this letter request me to cure this man of his leprosy? I think that he is just wanting to start a fight with me!”

2 Kings 22:11When the king heard the laws that were written in the scroll that Shaphan was reading to him, he tore his clothes because he was very dismayed.

2 Chronicles 6:27hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your Israeli people. Teach them the right way to conduct their lives. Then cause it to rain here on the land that you gave to your people to belong to them permanently.

Matthew Henry on Joel 2:13-18

Exhortation to Repentance. ( b. c. 720.) 12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord , turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? 15 Blow the… Read the whole commentary →

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