Joel 2:12–19 and Luke 15:1–10

JOEL 2:12–19

12 Yet even now, says the LORD,
     return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13     rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
     for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
     and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
     and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
     for the LORD, your God?

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

17 Between the vestibule and the altar
     let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.
Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD,
     and do not make your heritage a mockery,
     a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
     'Where is their God?'"

18 Then the LORD became jealous for his land,
     and had pity on his people.
19 In response to his people the LORD said:
I am sending you
     grain, wine, and oil,
     and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you

a mockery among the nations

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LUKE 15:1–10
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."