Joel 2:17

English Standard Version

17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations.[1] Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” (1Ki 6:3; 2Ch 3:4; 2Ch 4:1; Ps 42:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eze 8:16; Joe 1:9) 

New International Version

17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’ 

New International Reader’s Version

17 Let the priests who serve the LORD weep. Let them cry between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘LORD, spare your people. Don’t let others make fun of them. Don’t let the nations laugh at them. Don’t let them tease your people and say, “Where is their God?” ’ 

King James Version

17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 

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