1-3. God’s Message to Joel son of Pethuel:Attention, elder statesmen! Listen closely,everyone, whoever and wherever you are!Have you ever heard of anything like this?Has anything like this ever happened before—ever?Make sure you tell your children,and your children tell their children,And their children their children.Don’t let this message die out.
11-12. Dirt farmers, despair!Grape growers, wring your hands!Lament the loss of wheat and barley.All crops have failed.Vineyards dried up,fig trees withered,Pomegranates, date palms, and apple trees—deadwood everywhere!And joy is dried up and witheredin the hearts of the people.