Somber Optimism

¹² Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your hearts, with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow; ¹³ tear your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, very patient, full of faithful love, and ready to forgive. ¹⁴ Who knows whether he will have a change of heart and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God? ¹⁵ Blow the horn in Zion; demand a fast; request a special assembly. ¹⁶ Gather the people; prepare a holy meeting; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the groom leave his room and the bride her chamber. ¹⁷ Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the LORD’s ministers, weep. Let them say, “Have mercy, LORD, on your people, and don’t make your inheritance a disgrace, an example of failure among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”