Joel 12:13 is a very famous verse, but let's first focus on the verse that comes before it. Verse 12 (KJV) reads,
Now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.
God is telling us to confess our sins, whatever they might be, right now. The fasting-weeping-mourning part means that our repentance should be honest and heartfelt. We should feel legitimate shame, sorrow, and embarrassment for breaking his commandments. That opportunity is available to us right now, and we should take that opportunity.
The next verse, the famous one (verse 13, KJV), builds upon the previous verse to clarify how we should (and should not) show remorse. It reads,
Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God.
We should not "rend our garments" or engage in some other kind of outward show. Rather, our remorse should be inward. Our heart should ache for sinning.
These two verses, so simple yet so powerful, express how God views true repentance.
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