2 ¹² "Yet even now," says Yahweh,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
2 ¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to Yahweh, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and repents of evil.
2 ¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and repent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a cereal offering and a drink offering
for Yahweh, your God?

2 ¹⁵ Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
2 ¹⁶ gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.

2 ¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests,
the ministers of Yahweh, weep
and say, "Spare your people, O Yahweh,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?"