9 Proclaim this among the nations : Prepare a war ; rouse the mighty men ! Let all the soldiers e draw near , let them come up! 10 Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears ; Let the weak say , "I am a mighty man ." 11 Hasten and come , all you surrounding nations , And gather yourselves there . Bring down , O Lord , Your mighty ones . 12 Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat , For there I will sit to judge All the surrounding nations . 13 Put in the sickle , for the harvest is ripe . Come , tread , for the wine press is full ; The vats overflow , for their wickedness is great . 14 Multitudes , multitudes in the valley of decision ! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision . 15 The sun and moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness .
16 The Lord roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem , And the heavens and the earth tremble . But the Lord is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel . 17 Then you will know that I am the Lord your God , Dwelling in Zion , My holy mountain . So Jerusalem will be holy , And strangers will pass through it no more .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joel 3:9-17
Commentary on Joel 3:9-17
(Read Joel 3:9-17)
Here is a challenge to all the enemies of God's people. There is no escaping God's judgments; hardened sinners, in that day of wrath, shall be cut off from all comfort and joy. Most of the prophets foretell the same final victory of the church of God over all that oppose it. To the wicked it will be a terrible day, but to the righteous it will be a joyful day. What cause have those who possess an interest in Christ, to glory in their Strength and their Redeemer! The acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favour to some, will be a day of remarkable vengeance to others: let every one that is out of Christ awake, and flee from the wrath to come.