iii
Repentance at the Last Moment
The Lord
Yet even now, saith the Lord, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and repenteth him of the evil.
The People
Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Sanctify a fast,
Call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the old men,
Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts:
Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber,
And the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say:
Priests
Spare thy people, O Lord,
And give not thine heritage to reproach,
That the nations should use a byword against them,
Wherefore should they say among the peoples,
Where is their God?