Daily Bread

Let all who live in the land tremble,
    for the day of the Lord^(D) is coming.
It is close at hand^(E)—
²     a day of darkness^(F) and gloom,^(G)
    a day of clouds^(H) and blackness.^(I)
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
    a large and mighty army^(J) comes,
such as never was in ancient times^(K)
    nor ever will be in ages to come.

³ Before them fire^(L) devours,
    behind them a flame blazes.
Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,^(M)
    behind them, a desert waste^(N)—
    nothing escapes them.
⁴ They have the appearance of horses;^(O)
    they gallop along like cavalry.
⁵ With a noise like that of chariots^(P)
    they leap over the mountaintops,
like a crackling fire^(Q) consuming stubble,
    like a mighty army drawn up for battle.

⁶ At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;^(R)
    every face turns pale.^(S)
7 They charge like warriors;^(T)
    they scale walls like soldiers.
They all march in line,^(U)
    not swerving^(V) from their course.
⁸ They do not jostle each other;
    each marches straight ahead.
They plunge through defenses
    without breaking ranks.
⁹ They rush upon the city;
    they run along the wall.
They climb into the houses;^(W)
    like thieves they enter through the windows.^(X)

¹⁰ Before them the earth shakes,^(Y)
    the heavens tremble,^(Z)
the sun and moon are darkened,^(AA)
    and the stars no longer shine.^(AB)
11 The Lord^(AC) thunders^(AD)
    at the head of his army;^(AE)
his forces are beyond number,
    and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the Lord is great;^(AF)
    it is dreadful.
    Who can endure it?^(AG)

¹³ Rend your heart^(AJ)
    and not your garments.^(AK)
Return^(AL) to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,^(AM)
slow to anger and abounding in love,^(AN)
    and he relents from sending calamity.^(AO)
14 Who knows? He may turn^(AP) and relent^(AQ)
    and leave behind a blessing^(AR)—
grain offerings and drink offerings^(AS)
    for the Lord your God.

¹⁵ Blow the trumpet^(AT) in Zion,^(AU)
    declare a holy fast,^(AV)
    call a sacred assembly.^(AW)
16 Gather the people,
    consecrate^(AX) the assembly;
bring together the elders,^(AY)
    gather the children,
    those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom^(AZ) leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister^(BA) before the Lord,
    weep^(BB) between the portico and the altar.^(BC)
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,^(BD)
    a byword^(BE) among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?^(BF)’”