What does Joel 2:17 mean?

Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, cry between the porch and the altar: 'Lord, don’t let your people be disgraced. Don’t let other nations mock us and ask, “Where’s their God?”' Joel 2:17 - Modern Text Bible

(The spiritual leaders are supposed to plead for mercy, asking God to protect his people’s reputation and not let them become a joke to others.)