![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdkumc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7FD8C530-E7EB-4624-8F6E-DE8B03B58B36.jpeg\")
\n12 \u201cEven now,\u201d declares the Lord,
\n\u201creturn to me with all your heart,
\nwith fasting and weeping and mourning.\u201d
\n13 Rend your heart
\nand not your garments.
\nReturn to the Lord your God,
\nfor he is gracious and compassionate,
\nslow to anger and abounding in love,
\nand he relents from sending calamity.
\n14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
\nand leave behind a blessing\u2014
\ngrain offerings and drink offerings
\nfor the Lord your God.
\n15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
\ndeclare a holy fast,
\ncall a sacred assembly.
\n16 Gather the people,
\nconsecrate the assembly;
\nbring together the elders,
\ngather the children,
\nthose nursing at the breast.
\nLet the bridegroom leave his room
\nand the bride her chamber.
\n17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
\nweep between the portico and the altar.
\nLet them say, \u201cSpare your people, Lord.
\nDo not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
\na byword among the nations.
\nWhy should they say among the peoples,
\n\u2018Where is their God?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"