1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand- |
2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was of old
nor ever will be in ages to come. |
3 Before them fire devours,
behind them a flame blazes.
Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
behind them, a desert waste-
nothing escapes them. |
4 They have the appearance of horses;
they gallop along like cavalry. |
5 With a noise like that of chariots
they leap over the mountaintops,
like a crackling fire consuming stubble,
like a mighty army drawn up for battle. |
6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;
every face turns pale. |
7 They charge like warriors;
they scale walls like soldiers.
They all march in line,
not swerving 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;
like thieves they enter through the windows. |
10 Before them the earth shakes,
the sky trembles,
the sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars no longer shine. |
11 The LORD thunders
at the head of his army;
his forces are beyond number,
and mighty are those who obey his command.
The day of the LORD is great;
it is dreadful.
Who can endure it? |
