Joel 3:1-20 GNT

[1] The LORD says, "At that time I will restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem. [2] I will gather all the nations and bring them to the Valley of Judgment. There I will judge them for all they have done to my people. They have scattered the Israelites in foreign countries and divided Israel, my land. [3] They threw dice to decide who would get the captives. They sold boys and girls into slavery to pay for prostitutes and wine. [4] "What are you trying to do to me, Tyre, Sidon, and all of Philistia? Are you trying to pay me back for something? If you are, I will quickly pay you back! [5] You have taken my silver and gold and carried my rich treasures into your temples. [6] You have taken the people of Judah and Jerusalem far from their own country and sold them to the Greeks. [7] Now I am going to bring them out of the places to which you have sold them. I will do to you what you have done to them. [8] I will let your sons and daughters be sold to the people of Judah; they will sell them to the far-off Sabeans. I, the LORD, have spoken. [9] "Make this announcement among the nations: 'Prepare for war; call your warriors; gather all your soldiers and march! [10] Hammer the points of your plows into swords and your pruning knives into spears. Even the weak must fight. [11] Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather in the valley.'" Send down, O LORD, your army to attack them! [12] "The nations must get ready and come to the Valley of Judgment. There I, the LORD, will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. [13] They are very wicked; cut them down like grain at harvest time; crush them as grapes are crushed in a full wine press until the wine runs over." [14] Thousands and thousands are in the Valley of Judgment. It is there that the day of the LORD will soon come. [15] The sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. [16] The LORD roars from Mount Zion; his voice thunders from Jerusalem; earth and sky tremble. But he will defend his people. [17] "Then, Israel, you will know that I am the LORD your God. I live on Zion, my sacred hill. Jerusalem will be a sacred city; foreigners will never conquer it again. [18] At that time the mountains will be covered with vineyards, and cattle will be found on every hill; there will be plenty of water for all of Judah. A stream will flow from the Temple of the LORD, and it will water Acacia Valley. [19] "Egypt will become a desert, and Edom a ruined waste, because they attacked the land of Judah and killed its innocent people. [20] I will avenge those who were killed; I will not spare the guilty. But Judah and Jerusalem will be inhabited forever, and I, the LORD, will live on Mount Zion."