Joel 2:13

New International Reader's Version

Don’t just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He won’t bring his judgment. He won’t destroy you.

Cross References

Genesis 37:29

Later, Reuben came back to the empty well. He saw that Joseph wasn’t there. He was so upset that he tore his clothes.

Genesis 37:34

Jacob tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. Then he mourned for his son many days.

2 Samuel 1:11

Then David tore his clothes. And all his men tore their clothes.

1 Kings 21:27

When Ahab heard what Elijah had said, he tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. He went without eating. He even slept in his clothes. He went around looking sad.

2 Kings 22:11

The king heard the words of the Book of the Law. When he did, he tore his royal robes.

2 Kings 22:19

“Your heart was tender. You made yourself humble in the eyes of the Lord. You heard what I spoke against this place and its people. I said they would be under a curse. I told them they would be destroyed. You tore your royal robes and wept in front of me. And I have heard you,” announces the Lord.

2 Kings 5:7

The king of Israel read the letter. As soon as he did, he tore his royal robes. He said, “Am I God? Can I kill people and bring them back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be healed of his skin disease? He must be trying to pick a fight with me!”

2 Kings 6:30

When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his royal robes. As he walked along the wall, the people looked up at him. They saw that under his robes he was wearing the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad.

2 Chronicles 6:27

Then listen to them from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live. Send rain on the land you gave them as their share.

Nehemiah 9:17

They refused to listen to you. They forgot the miracles you had done among them. So they became stubborn. When they refused to obey you, they appointed a leader for themselves. They wanted to go back to being slaves in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives. You are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. So you didn’t desert them.

Job 1:20

After Job heard all these reports, he got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped the Lord.

Psalm 103:8

The Lord is tender and kind. He is gracious. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love.

Psalm 106:45

Because they were his people, he remembered his covenant. Because of his great love, he felt sorry for them.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

Psalm 51:17

The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. God, you will gladly accept a heart that is broken because of sadness over sin.

Psalm 86:15

But Lord, you are a God who is tender and kind. You are gracious. You are slow to get angry. You are faithful and full of love.

Psalm 86:5

Lord, you are forgiving and good. You are full of love for all who call out to you.

Isaiah 57:15

The God who is highly honored lives forever. His name is holy. He says, “I live in a high and holy place. But I also live with anyone who turns away from their sins. I live with anyone who is not proud. I give new life to them. I give it to anyone who turns away from their sins.

Isaiah 58:5

Do you think that is the way I want you to fast? Is it only a time for people to make themselves suffer? Is it only for people to bow their heads like tall grass bent by the wind? Is it only for people to lie down in ashes and clothes of mourning? Is that what you call a fast? Do you think I can accept that?

Isaiah 66:2

Didn’t I make everything by my power? That is how all things were created,” announces the Lord. “The people I value are not proud. They are sorry for the wrong things they have done. They have great respect for what I say.

Jeremiah 36:7

They will hear what the Lord will do to them when his burning anger blazes out against them. Then perhaps they will pray to him. And maybe each of them will turn from their evil ways.”

Jeremiah 41:5

On that day 80 men came from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria. They had shaved off their beards. They had torn their clothes. And they had cut themselves. They brought grain offerings and incense with them. They took them to the Lord’s house.

Jeremiah 42:10

‘Stay in this land. Then I will build you up. I will not tear you down. I will plant you. I will not pull you up by the roots. I have decided to stop bringing trouble on you.

Ezekiel 9:4

The Lord said to him, “Go all through Jerusalem. Look for those who are sad and sorry about all the things being done there. I hate those things. Put a mark on the foreheads of those people.”

Hosea 14:1

Israel, return to the Lord your God. Your sins have destroyed you!

Jonah 3:9

Who knows? God might take pity on us. He might not be angry with us anymore. Then we won’t die.”

Jonah 4:2

He prayed to the Lord. Here is what Jonah said to him. “Lord, isn’t this exactly what I thought would happen when I was still at home? That is what I tried to prevent by running away to Tarshish. I knew that you are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. You are a God who takes pity on people. You don’t want to destroy them.

Micah 7:18

Lord, who is a God like you? You forgive sin. You forgive your people when they do what is wrong. You don’t stay angry forever. Instead, you take delight in showing your faithful love to them.

Nahum 1:3

The Lord is slow to get angry. But he is very powerful. The Lord will not let guilty people go without punishing them. When he marches out, he stirs up winds and storms. Clouds are the dust kicked up by his feet.

Numbers 14:18

‘I am the Lord. I am slow to get angry. I am full of love. I forgive those who sin. I forgive those who refuse to obey. But I do not let guilty people go without punishing them. I cause the sin of the parents to affect their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.’

Romans 2:4

Do you disrespect God’s great kindness and favor? Do you disrespect God when he is patient with you? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is meant to turn you away from your sins?

Ephesians 2:4

But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy.

1 Timothy 4:8

Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.