Joel 2:12 (DRB)

Passage

Now, therefore, saith the Lord. Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and mourning.

Nearby Context

Joel 2:10 At their presence the earth hath trembled, the heavens are moved: the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their shining.

Joel 2:11 And the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceedingly great, for they are strong, and execute his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can stand it?

Joel 2:12 Now, therefore, saith the Lord. Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and mourning.

Joel 2:13 And rend your hearts, and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.

Joel 2:14 Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "therefore", "saith", "lord", "converted", "heart", "fasting", "weeping", and "mourning". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "therefore" and "saith", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "And the Lord hath uttered his voice..." into verse 13's "And rend your hearts and not your...", so "therefore" and "saith" belong inside that flow. In Joel context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "therefore" and "saith" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.