An Army of Locusts

2 Blow the trumpetz in Zion;a

sound the alarm on my holy hill.b

Let all who live in the land tremble,

for the day of the Lordc is coming.

It is close at handd—

2 a day of darknesse and gloom,f

a day of cloudsg and blackness.h

Like dawn spreading across the mountains

a large and mighty armyi comes,

such as never was in ancient timesj

nor ever will be in ages to come.

3 Before them firek devours,

behind them a flame blazes.

Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,l

behind them, a desert wastem—

nothing escapes them.

4 They have the appearance of horses;n

they gallop along like cavalry.

5 With a noise like that of chariotso

they leap over the mountaintops,

like a crackling firep consuming stubble,

like a mighty army drawn up for battle.

6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;q

every face turns pale.r

7 They charge like warriors;s

they scale walls like soldiers.

They all march in line,t

not swervingu from their course.

8 They do not jostle each other;

each marches straight ahead.

They plunge through defenses

without breaking ranks.

9 They rush upon the city;

they run along the wall.

They climb into the houses;v

like thieves they enter through the windows.w

10 Before them the earth shakes,x

the heavens tremble,y

the sun and moon are darkened,z

and the stars no longer shine.a

11 The Lordb thundersc

at the head of his army;d

his forces are beyond number,

and mighty is the army that obeys his command.

The day of the Lord is great;e

it is dreadful.

Who can endure it?f