Study Desk

Blow the trumpet^(a) in Zion;^(b) sound the alarm on my holy hill.^(c) Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord ^(d) is coming. It is close at hand^(e)—

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.

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.

They have the appearance of horses;^(o) they gallop along like cavalry.

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.

At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;^(r) every face turns pale.^(s)

They charge like warriors;^(t) they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line,^(u) not swerving^(v) from their course.

They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks.

They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses;^(w) like thieves they enter through the windows.^(x)

Before them the earth shakes,^(y) the heavens tremble,^(z) the sun and moon are darkened,^(aa) and the stars no longer shine.^(ab)

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)