Speaking for the Lord, Joel urged his hearers even now, even though judgment was threatened, to repent. However, he clarified that their repentance needed to be wholehearted, not just external. Fasting, weeping, and mourning would give evidence of the people"s sincerity, but they had to rend their hearts, not just their garments, as was customary in mourning. They needed to return to Yahweh their God (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14). [source][source][source]