Definition: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joel 2:13. It's a really important message about God’s love and forgiveness. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is urging people to change their hearts and repent (say sorry) for their sins. It’s saying that God wants a relationship with you, and he's willing to forgive you if you return to him. Let's look at it word-by-word: “And rend your heart…” – This is a strong phrase. “Rend” means to tear or split apart. It’s not just feeling sad; it’s expressing deep sorrow and regret. “…and not your garments…” - This means don’t focus on your appearance, your clothes, or how you look. Your outward appearance doesn't matter as much when you’re dealing with God. “And turn unto the LORD your God…” – This is a direct command: "Turn towards God." “…for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” - This is the core of the message. Let’s unpack this: “He is gracious…” – This means God is kind and loving. “…and merciful…” – God doesn't just want to be kind; he actively chooses to show kindness. “…slow to anger…” – God isn’t easily angered, even when you make mistakes. He takes time to consider things. “…of great kindness…” - God shows incredible love and care. “and repenteth him of the evil.” – This is the most important part. “Repent” means to turn away from sin and wrongdoing. God offers forgiveness to those who repent (change their ways). He's "repenteth him" - He’s offering a chance for someone to change their way of life. In short, Joel 2:13 is saying that God wants a relationship with you, and he’s willing to forgive you if you confess your sins and turn back to Him. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a call to repentance – meaning to actively change your thoughts, words, and actions. It's about acknowledging that we are flawed and needing God’s forgiveness. Does it mean everything will be okay? Not necessarily. It means that God wants you to choose to turn away from sin and seek His favor. It’s a promise of hope and restoration. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you some examples of things people can do to repent? Talk about the context of this verse within the larger story of the Old Testament (like the Flood)?