12Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with lamentation.13And tear your heart and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and he relents over the evil.14Who knows whether he will return and relent and leave a blessing behind, a grain offering and a drink offering to the LORD your God.15Blow the shofar in Zion; sanctify it—proclaim a fast, call a solemn assembly.16Gather the people, his holy assembly; gather the elders, gather the nursing children and those who nurse at the breasts. Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber and the bride from her canopy.17Between the porch and the altar, let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say: "Spare your people, O LORD, and do not give your inheritance to reproach, for nations to rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"