New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Joel 2
1
Priests, blow the trumpets in Zion. Give a warning on my holy mountain. Let everyone who lives in the land tremble with fear. The day of the Lord is coming. It is very near.
Reference
Holy
Joel 3:17
Zephaniah 3:11
Parallel theme
Joel 2:15
1 Peter 4:7
Jeremiah 4:5
References Lord
Joel 1:15
Isaiah 66:2
Jeremiah 5:22
Malachi 4:1
Zephaniah 1:14
2
That day will be dark and sad. It will be black and cloudy. A huge army of locusts is coming. They will spread across the mountains like the sun when it rises. There has never been an army like it. And there will never be another for all time to come.
Reference
3
Like fire they eat up everything in their path. Behind them it looks as if flames have burned the land. In front of them the land is like the Garden of Eden. Behind them it is a dry and empty desert. Nothing escapes them.
Reference
4
They look like horses. Like war horses they charge ahead.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 9:7
5
They sound like chariots as they leap over the mountaintops. They crackle like fire burning up dry weeds. They are like a mighty army that is ready for battle.
Reference
7
The locusts charge ahead like warriors. They climb over walls like soldiers. All of them march in line. They don't turn to the right or the left.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 30:27
8
They don't bump into one another. Each of them marches straight ahead. They charge through everything that tries to stop them. But they still stay in line.
Reference
9
They attack a city. They run along its wall. They climb into houses. They enter through windows like robbers.
Reference
10
As they march forward, the earth shakes. The sky trembles as they approach. The sun and moon grow dark. And the stars stop shining.
Reference
11
The Lord thunders with his mighty voice as he leads his army. He has so many forces they can't even be counted. Those who obey his commands are great in number. The day of the Lord is great and terrifying. Who can live through it?
Reference
Parallel theme
Malachi 3:2
Nahum 1:6
Revelation 6:17
Psalm 46:6
Jeremiah 30:7
References Lord
Revelation 18:8
Joel 3:16
Isaiah 42:13
Isaiah 13:4
Jeremiah 50:34
12
The Lord announces to his people, "Return to me with all your heart. There is still time. Do not eat any food. Sob and cry."
Reference
Parallel theme
Hosea 12:6
Acts 26:20
References Lord
Jeremiah 4:1
Hosea 6:1
1 Samuel 7:6
1 Samuel 7:3
Hosea 14:1
Judges 20:26
Zechariah 7:3
Isaiah 22:12
13
Don't just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He takes pity on you. He won't destroy you.
Reference
Grace
Psalm 86:15
Micah 7:18
Psalm 86:5
Psalm 103:8
Jonah 4:2
Parallel theme
Isaiah 57:15
2 Samuel 1:11
References God
Psalm 51:17
References Lord
Psalm 34:18
Isaiah 66:2
14
Who knows? He might turn toward you and have pity on you. He might even give you his blessing. Then you can bring grain offerings and drink offerings to the Lord your God.
Reference
Blessing
Haggai 2:19
References God
Jonah 1:6
Amos 5:15
2 Kings 19:4
2 Samuel 12:22
References Lord
Zephaniah 2:3
Repentance
Jonah 3:9
Sacrifice
Joel 1:13
Joel 1:9
Sin
Exodus 32:30
15
Priests, blow the trumpets in Zion. Announce a holy fast. Tell the people not to eat anything. Gather them together for a special service.
Reference
16
Bring them together. Set all of them apart to me. Bring together the elders. Gather the children and the babies who are still nursing. Let the groom leave his bedroom. Let the bride leave their marriage bed.
Reference
17
Let the priests who serve the Lord sob. Let them cry between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Lord, spare your people. Don't let others make fun of them. Don't let the nations laugh at them. Don't let them tease your people and say, 'Where is their God?' "
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 6:3
References God
Psalm 115:2
Psalm 79:10
Amos 7:2
Isaiah 37:20
References Lord
Exodus 34:9
Hosea 14:2
Sacrifice
Ezekiel 8:16
Matthew 23:35
Joel 1:9
18
Then the Lord will show concern for his land. He will take pity on his people.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 63:9
Isaiah 63:15
Isaiah 60:10
Luke 15:20
References Lord
Zechariah 8:2
Psalm 103:13
Zechariah 1:14
James 5:11
Lamentations 3:22
Jeremiah 31:20
19
He will reply, "I will send you grain, olive oil and fresh wine. It will be enough to satisfy you completely. I will never allow other nations to make fun of you again.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 34:29
Matthew 6:33
Joel 2:24
Joel 1:10
Hosea 2:15
References Lord
Ezekiel 36:15
Jeremiah 31:12
Ezekiel 39:29
20
"I will drive far away from you the army that comes from the north. I will send some of its forces into a dry and empty land. Those in front will be pushed into the Dead Sea. The ones in back will be driven into the Mediterranean Sea. Their dead bodies will give off a bad smell." The Lord has done great things.
Reference
21
Land, don't be afraid. Be glad and full of joy. The Lord has done great things.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 54:4
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 35:1
Jeremiah 33:3
Joel 2:20
Zechariah 8:15
Deuteronomy 4:32
Psalm 98:8
References Lord
1 Samuel 12:16
1 Samuel 12:24
22
Wild animals, don't be afraid. The grasslands are turning green again. The trees are bearing their fruit. The vines and fig trees are producing rich crops.
Reference
23
People of Zion, be glad. Be joyful because of what the Lord your God has done. He has given you the right amount of rain in the fall. He has sent you plenty of showers. He has sent fall and spring rains alike, just as he did before.
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 26:4
Deuteronomy 11:14
Psalm 149:2
Isaiah 30:23
References Lord
Philippians 4:4
Hosea 6:3
Isaiah 41:16
Zechariah 10:1
Philippians 3:1
Psalm 28:7
24
Your threshing floors will be covered with grain. Olive oil and fresh wine will spill over from the places where they are stored.
Reference
25
The Lord says, "I sent a great army of locusts to attack you. They included common locusts, giant locusts, young locusts and other locusts. I will make up for the years they ate your crops.
Reference
Parallel theme
Zechariah 10:6
26
You will have plenty to eat. It will satisfy you completely. Then you will praise me. I am the Lord your God. I have done wonderful miracles for you. My people will never be put to shame again.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 10:11
Leviticus 26:5
Isaiah 54:4
1 John 2:28
References God
Romans 5:5
Deuteronomy 12:7
References Lord
Isaiah 45:17
Isaiah 49:23
Resurrection
Psalm 22:26
Isaiah 25:1
27
You will know that I am with you in Israel. I am the Lord your God. There is no other God. So my people will never be put to shame again.
Reference
References God
Zephaniah 3:17
Isaiah 45:5
Joel 3:17
Ezekiel 39:28
Psalm 46:5
Deuteronomy 23:14
Joel 2:26
Revelation 21:3
References Israel
Isaiah 12:6
28
"After that, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will have visions.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 2:39
Luke 3:6
Galatians 3:28
Spirit
Ezekiel 39:29
Isaiah 32:15
Isaiah 44:3
Zechariah 12:10
Proverbs 1:23
John 7:39
Acts 2:33
30
I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
Reference
31
The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. It will happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
Reference
Darkness
Matthew 24:29
Joel 3:15
Joel 2:10
Matthew 27:45
Parallel theme
Luke 21:25
Joel 3:1
References Lord
Malachi 4:1
Malachi 4:5
32
Everyone who calls out to me will be saved. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some of my people will be left alive. I have chosen them. That is what I have promised.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 46:13
Jeremiah 33:3
Romans 11:26
Romans 9:27
Psalm 50:15
Obadiah 1:17
References Lord
Jeremiah 31:7
Isaiah 11:11
Acts 2:39
1 Corinthians 1:2
Summary of Joel 2
Joel 2 develops the warning of the day of the Lord into a dramatic vision of overwhelming judgment, but then turns toward one of the Old Testament's strongest calls to genuine repentance and one of its most significant promises of restoration, showing that God's purpose is not simply to destroy but to awaken His people, receive those who return to Him, restore what has been lost, and ultimately pour out His Spirit upon all kinds of people.
The chapter opens with a trumpet sounding in Zion because the day of the Lord is approaching, and Joel describes an enormous, terrifying force moving across the land with the speed and discipline of a trained army.
The imagery is deliberately overwhelming, with the earth shaking, the heavens trembling, and the sun, moon, and stars becoming dark, communicating that this is not merely an ordinary military crisis but a moment of divine intervention that affects the whole created order.
The army moves through cities, climbs walls, enters houses, and penetrates every defense, creating the impression that human strength cannot prevent the coming judgment.
Yet at the center of the chapter comes a dramatic change in direction.
God calls His people to return to Him with all their hearts, through fasting, weeping, and mourning, demonstrating that even when judgment appears imminent, the door to repentance remains open.
Joel emphasizes that the people must tear their hearts rather than merely their clothing, because God is not impressed by outward displays of sorrow when the inner person remains unchanged.
The appeal is grounded in God's character because He is described as gracious, compassionate, patient, and rich in faithful love.
The entire community is then called together, including elders, children, infants, newly married couples, and everyone else, while the priests are instructed to stand before God and plead for mercy on behalf of the nation.
This collective response demonstrates that repentance is not presented as a private activity but as a communal return to God.
The result is a remarkable transition from judgment to restoration.
God becomes compassionate toward His land and people and promises to restore grain, wine, and olive oil, while removing the invading force and replacing fear with rejoicing.
The land becomes productive again, animals find pasture, trees bear fruit, rains return at the proper seasons, threshing floors become full, and the presses once again overflow with agricultural abundance.
The promise to restore the years consumed by the locusts is especially powerful because it speaks to losses that seem impossible for human beings to recover.
God promises not merely to provide enough for survival but to restore abundance and dignity, allowing His people to recognize that He is present among them and that He remains their God.
The final section moves beyond agricultural restoration toward an even greater spiritual promise.
God declares that He will pour out His Spirit on sons and daughters, young and old, and even on servants, indicating that His Spirit will not be limited to a small group of religious or political leaders.
The chapter concludes with cosmic signs surrounding the day of the Lord but also with the gracious promise that everyone who calls upon the Lord's name will be saved, making salvation available in the midst of judgment.
The central message is that Joel 2 calls people to genuine repentance by turning to God with their whole hearts rather than relying on outward religious displays, while revealing that God's gracious character allows judgment to become an opportunity for restoration, renewed blessing, and a deeper relationship with Him.
The chapter also moves from the destruction of the locusts and the terror of the day of the Lord toward the restoration of the land and the outpouring of God's Spirit, showing that God can restore what has been lost and extend His presence beyond traditional boundaries so that people of every generation and social position may call upon Him and experience His saving mercy.
The chapter opens with a trumpet sounding in Zion because the day of the Lord is approaching, and Joel describes an enormous, terrifying force moving across the land with the speed and discipline of a trained army.
The imagery is deliberately overwhelming, with the earth shaking, the heavens trembling, and the sun, moon, and stars becoming dark, communicating that this is not merely an ordinary military crisis but a moment of divine intervention that affects the whole created order.
The army moves through cities, climbs walls, enters houses, and penetrates every defense, creating the impression that human strength cannot prevent the coming judgment.
Yet at the center of the chapter comes a dramatic change in direction.
God calls His people to return to Him with all their hearts, through fasting, weeping, and mourning, demonstrating that even when judgment appears imminent, the door to repentance remains open.
Joel emphasizes that the people must tear their hearts rather than merely their clothing, because God is not impressed by outward displays of sorrow when the inner person remains unchanged.
The appeal is grounded in God's character because He is described as gracious, compassionate, patient, and rich in faithful love.
The entire community is then called together, including elders, children, infants, newly married couples, and everyone else, while the priests are instructed to stand before God and plead for mercy on behalf of the nation.
This collective response demonstrates that repentance is not presented as a private activity but as a communal return to God.
The result is a remarkable transition from judgment to restoration.
God becomes compassionate toward His land and people and promises to restore grain, wine, and olive oil, while removing the invading force and replacing fear with rejoicing.
The land becomes productive again, animals find pasture, trees bear fruit, rains return at the proper seasons, threshing floors become full, and the presses once again overflow with agricultural abundance.
The promise to restore the years consumed by the locusts is especially powerful because it speaks to losses that seem impossible for human beings to recover.
God promises not merely to provide enough for survival but to restore abundance and dignity, allowing His people to recognize that He is present among them and that He remains their God.
The final section moves beyond agricultural restoration toward an even greater spiritual promise.
God declares that He will pour out His Spirit on sons and daughters, young and old, and even on servants, indicating that His Spirit will not be limited to a small group of religious or political leaders.
The chapter concludes with cosmic signs surrounding the day of the Lord but also with the gracious promise that everyone who calls upon the Lord's name will be saved, making salvation available in the midst of judgment.
The central message is that Joel 2 calls people to genuine repentance by turning to God with their whole hearts rather than relying on outward religious displays, while revealing that God's gracious character allows judgment to become an opportunity for restoration, renewed blessing, and a deeper relationship with Him.
The chapter also moves from the destruction of the locusts and the terror of the day of the Lord toward the restoration of the land and the outpouring of God's Spirit, showing that God can restore what has been lost and extend His presence beyond traditional boundaries so that people of every generation and social position may call upon Him and experience His saving mercy.