The Valley of Judgment
Joel 4
The Lord announces that he will restore the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem and gather the nations into the valley of Josaphat to judge them for scattering his people, plundering his land, and selling his sons and daughters as slaves, calling the nations to arm for battle even as he readies them for judgment like a harvest. On that day the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened while the Lord roars from Sion to defend his people, and Judah and Jerusalem will be made secure and fruitful forever, while Egypt and Idumea are laid desolate for the innocent blood they have shed.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBECAUSE, lo! Here I am in those days and at that time when I have brought back the captivity of Juda and Jerusalem;
BrentonFor, behold, in those days and at that time, when I shall have turned the captivity of Juda and Jerusalem,
GreekὍτι ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις καὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὅταν ἐπιστρέψω τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Ἰούδα καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ,
KJVFor, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
JPSFor, behold, in those days, and in that time, When I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2
Thomsonand I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Josaphat and plead with them there for My people and My heritage, Israel, who have been scattered among the nations.
BrentonI will also gather all the Gentiles, and bring them down to the valley of Josaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and my heritage Israel, who have been dispersed among the Gentiles; and these Gentiles have divided my land,
Greekκαὶ συνάξω πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ κατάξω αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν κοιλάδα Ἰωσαφὰτ, καὶ διακριθήσομαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ ὑπὲρ τοῦ λαοῦ μου καὶ τῆς κληρονομίας μου Ἰσραὴλ, οἳ διεσπάρησαν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ τὴν γῆν μου κατεδιείλαντο,
KJVI will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
JPSI will gather all nations, And will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there For My people and for My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations, And divided My land.
3
ThomsonThey indeed divided My land among themselves and cast lots for my people; they gave My boys to harlots and sold My girls for wine and drank it.
Brentonand cast lots over my people, and have given their boys to harlots, and sold their girls for wine, and have drunk.
Greekκαὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν μου ἔβαλον κλήρους, καὶ ἔδωκαν τὰ παιδάρια πόρναις, καὶ τὰ κοράσια ἐπώλουν ἀντὶ τοῦ οἴνου, καὶ ἔπινον.
KJVAnd they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
JPSAnd they have cast lots for My people; And have given a boy for an harlot, And sold a girl for wine, and have drunk.
4
ThomsonNow what have you, Tyre and Sidon and all Galilee of foreign tribes, to do with Me? Are you rendering Me a retribution? Or are you venting your spite against Me? On your heads I will severely and speedily return your retribution.
BrentonAnd what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles? do ye render me a recompense? or do ye bear malice against me? quickly and speedily will I return your recompense on your own heads:
GreekΚαὶ τί ὑμεῖς ἐμοὶ Τύρος, καὶ Σιδὼν, καὶ πᾶσα Γαλιλαία ἀλλοφύλων; μὴ ἀνταπόδομα ὑμεῖς ἀνταποδίδοτέ μοι; ἢ μνησικακεῖτε ὑμεῖς ἐπʼ ἐμοί; ὀξέως, καὶ ταχέως ἀνταποδώσω τὸ ἀνταπόδομα ὑμῶν εἰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν,
KJVYea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
JPSAnd also what are ye to Me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the regions of Philistia? will ye render retribution on My behalf? and if ye render retribution on My behalf, swiftly, speedily will I return your retribution upon your own head.
5
ThomsonBecause you have taken My silver and My gold, and carried My choicest goods into your temples,
Brentonbecause ye have taken my silver and my gold, and ye have brought my choice ornaments into your temples;
Greekἀνθʼ ὧν τὸ ἀργύριόν μου καὶ τὸ χρυσίον μου ἐλάβετε, καὶ τὰ ἐπίλεκτά μου τὰ καλὰ εἰσηνέγκατε εἰς τοὺς ναοὺς ὑμῶν,
KJVBecause ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:
JPSForasmuch as ye have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My goodly treasures;
6
Thomsonand sold the sons of Juda and the sons of Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might remove them far from their borders;
Brentonand ye have sold the children of Juda and the children of Jerusalem to the children of the Greeks, that ye might expel them from their coasts.
Greekκαὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰούδα καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀπέδοσθε τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν Ἑλλήνων, ὅπως ἐξώσητε αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν.
KJVThe children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
JPSthe children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the sons of Jevanim, that ye might remove them far from their border;
7
Thomsontherefore behold I will raise them up from the places whither you sold them, and return your retribution on your heads.
BrentonTherefore, behold, I will raise them up out of the place whither ye have sold them, and I will return your recompense on your own heads.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξεγείρω αὐτοὺς ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἀπέδοσθε αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἀνταποδώσω τὸ ἀνταπόδομα ὑμῶν εἰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν,
KJVBehold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:
JPSbehold, I will stir them up out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your retribution upon your own head;
8
ThomsonAnd I will deliver your sons and your daughters into the hands of the sons of Juda, that they may sell them as captives to a far distant nation.
BrentonAnd I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Juda, and they shall sell them into captivity to a far distant nation: for the Lord has spoken it.
Greekκαὶ ἀποδώσομαι τοὺς υἱοὺς ὑμῶν καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ὑμῶν εἰς χεῖρας τῶν υἱῶν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἀποδώσονται αὐτοὺς εἰς αἰχμαλωσίαν εἰς ἔθνος μακρὰν ἀπέχον, ὅτι Κύριος ἐλάλησε.
KJVAnd I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
JPSand I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off; for the LORD hath spoken.
9
ThomsonBecause the Lord hath spoken, proclaim these things among the nations. Declare war: rouse the warriors: assemble and march up, all ye men of war.
BrentonProclaim these things among the Gentiles; declare war, arouse the warriors, draw near and go up, all ye men of war.
GreekΚηρύξατε ταῦτα ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ἁγιάσατε πόλεμον, ἐξεγείρατε τοὺς μαχητὰς, προσαγάγετε καὶ ἀναβαίνετε πάντες ἄνδρες πολεμισταὶ,
KJVProclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
JPSProclaim ye this among the nations, Prepare war; Stir up the mighty men; Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up.
10
ThomsonBeat your ploughshares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears. Let the weak say, I am strong.
BrentonBeat your ploughshares into swords, and your sickles into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
Greekσυγκόψατε τὰ ἄροτρα ὑμῶν εἰς ῥομφαίας, καὶ τὰ δρέπανα ὑμῶν εἰς σειρομάστας· ὁ ἀδύνατος λεγέτω, ὅτι ἰσχύω ἐγώ.
KJVBeat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
JPSBeat your plowshares into swords, And your pruning-hooks into spears; Let the weak say: ‘I am strong.’
11
ThomsonAssemble and come, all ye nations around, and be there gathered together. Let the man of peace become a soldier.
BrentonGather yourselves together, and go in, all ye nations round about, and gather yourselves there: let the timid become a warrior.
GreekΣυναθροίζεσθε, καὶ εἰσπορεύεσθε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κυκλόθεν, καὶ συνάχθητε ἐκεῖ· ὁ πρᾳῢς ἔστω μαχητής.
KJVAssemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
JPSHaste ye, and come, all ye nations round about, And gather yourselves together; Thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD!
12
ThomsonLet all the nations be roused and come up to the valley of Josaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the nations around.
BrentonLet them be aroused, let all the nations go up to the valley of Josaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the Gentiles round about.
GreekἘξεγειρέσθωσαν, ἀναβαινέτωσαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη εἰς τὴν κοιλάδα Ἰωσαφὰτ, διότι ἐκεῖ καθιῶ τοῦ διακρῖναι πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κυκλόθεν.
KJVLet the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
JPSLet the nations be stirred up, and come up To the valley of Jehoshaphat; For there will I sit to judge All the nations round about.
13
ThomsonPut to the sickles, for the harvest is come; go in and tread, for the wine-press is full. Cause the wine vats to overflow; for their wicked deeds have been multiplied.
BrentonBring forth the sickles, for the vintage is come: go in, tread the grapes, for the press is full: cause the vats to overflow; for their wickedness is multiplied.
GreekἘξαποστείλατε δρέπανα, ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ τρυγητός· εἰσπορεύεσθε, πατεῖτε, διότι πλήρης ἡ ληνός· ὑπερεκχεῖτε τὰ ὑπολήνια, ὅτι πεπλήθυνται τὰ κακὰ αὐτῶν.
KJVPut ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
JPSPut ye in the sickle, For the harvest is ripe; Come, tread ye, For the winepress is full, the vats overflow; For their wickedness is great.
14
ThomsonScreams resound in the valley of Judgment! because the day of the Lord in the valley of Judgment is at hand.
BrentonNoises have resounded in the valley of judgment: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of judgment.
GreekἮχοι ἐξήχησαν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τῆς δίκης, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡμέρα Κυρίου ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τῆς δίκης.
KJVMultitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
JPSMultitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15
ThomsonThe sun and the moon shall be obscured in darkness; and the stars shall withdraw their light;
BrentonThe sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their light.
GreekὉ ἥλιος καὶ ἡ σελήνη συσκοτάσουσι, καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες δύσουσι φέγγος αὐτῶν.
KJVThe sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
JPSThe sun and the moon are become black, And the stars withdraw their shining.
16
Thomsonand the Lord will utter a shout from Sion, and from Jerusalem He will send forth His voice; and the heaven and the earth shall be shaken: but the Lord will spare His people and strengthen the sons of Israel.
BrentonAnd the Lord shall cry out of Sion, and shall utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heaven and the earth shall be shaken, but the Lord shall spare his people, and shall strengthen the children of Israel.
GreekὉ δὲ Κύριος ἐκ Σιὼν ἀνακεκράξεται, καὶ ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ δώσει φωνὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ σεισθήσεται ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ· ὁ δὲ Κύριος φείσεται τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνισχύσει τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThe LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
JPSAnd the LORD shall roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth shall shake; But the LORD will be a refuge unto His people, And a stronghold to the children of Israel.
17
ThomsonAnd ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwell in Sion My holy mountain, and Jerusalem shall be holy and strangers shall no more pass through it.
BrentonAnd ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwell in Sion my holy mountain: and Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall not pass through her any more.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπιγνώσεσθε διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν, ὁ κατασκηνῶν ἐν Σιὼν ὄρει ἁγίῳ μου· καὶ ἔσται Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἁγία, καὶ ἀλλογενεῖς οὐ διελεύσονται διʼ αὐτῆς οὐκέτι.
KJVSo shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
JPSSo shall ye know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain; Then shall Jerusalem be holy, And there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
18
ThomsonAnd it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall distil new wine, and the hills shall send forth streams of milk. And all the fountains of Juda shall pour out water; and a fountain shall issue from the house of the Lord, which shall water the valley of bulrushes.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the fountains of Juda shall flow with water, and a fountain shall go forth of the house of the Lord, and water the valley of flags.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, ἀποσταλάξει τὰ ὄρη γλυκασμὸν, καὶ οἱ βουνοὶ ῥυήσονται γάλα, καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ἀφέσεις Ἰούδα ῥυήσονται ὕδατα, καὶ πηγὴ ἐξ οἴκου Κυρίου ἐξελεύσεται, καὶ ποτιεῖ τὸν χειμάῤῥουν τῶν σχοίνων.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass in that day, That the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, And the hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; And a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, And shall water the valley of Shittim.
19
ThomsonEgypt shall be a desolation, and Idumea a scene of destruction, for the injuries done to the children of Juda—for their having shed innocent blood in their land;
BrentonEgypt shall be a desolation, and Idumea shall be a desolate plain, because of the wrongs of the children of Juda, because they have shed righteous blood in their land.
GreekΑἴγυπτος εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἔσται, καὶ ἡ Ἰδουμαία εἰς πεδίον ἀφανισμοῦ ἔσται, ἐξ ἀδικιῶν υἱῶν Ἰούδα, ἀνθʼ ὧν ἐξέχεαν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν.
KJVEgypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
JPSEgypt shall be a desolation, And Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, For the violence against the children of Judah, Because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20
Thomsonbut Judea shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for generations of generations.
BrentonBut Judea shall be inhabited for ever, and Jerusalem to all generations.
GreekἩ δὲ Ἰουδαία εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατοικηθήσεται, καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ εἰς γενεὰς γενεῶν.
KJVBut Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
JPSBut Judah shall be inhabited for ever, And Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21
ThomsonAnd I will make inquisition for their blood, and will not pass it over unrevenged: and the Lord will dwell in Sion.
BrentonAnd I will make inquisition for their blood, and will by no means leave it unavenged: and the Lord shall dwell in Sion.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκζητήσω τὸ αἷμα αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀθωώσω, καὶ Κύριος κατασκηνώσει ἐν Σιών.
KJV—
JPS—