Nahum 1
1 This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God—the Lord God is avenging and angry. The Lord takes vengeance on his enemies, he is angry with those who are hostile to him.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
The Lord is slow to become angry, has great power, and will not leave the guilty unpunished. He walks among the whirlwind and the storm; the clouds are like dust beneath his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
He commands the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon fades.
5 The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers.
Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.
6 Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.
Who can withstand his fury? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His rage pours out like molten fire; he shatters rocks to pieces.
7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
The Lord is good, a place of safety in a time of trouble. He takes care of those who place their trust in him,
8 But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.
but those who oppose him will be swept away by a tremendous flood to their destruction. He pursues his enemies into the darkness of death.
9 Whatever you plot against the LORD, He will bring to an end. Affliction will not rise up a second time.
Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
10 For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard— like stubble that is fully dry.
They entangle themselves like people caught in thorn bushes; they are like drunks full of drink. They will be completely burned up like dry straw.
11 From you, O Nineveh, comes forth a plotter of evil against the LORD, a counselor of wickedness.
One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
12 This is what the LORD says: “Though they are allied and numerous, yet they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no longer.
This is what the Lord says: Even though they are strong and numerous, they will be cut down and they will pass away. Though I have caused you trouble, I will not do so anymore.
13 For I will now break their yoke from your neck and tear away your shackles.”
Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
14 The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will cut off the carved image and cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”
This is what the Lord has ordered concerning you. You will have no descendants to carry on your name. I will destroy the gods in your temples, all the wooden and metal idols. I am digging your grave, for you are depraved.
15 Look to the mountains— the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked will never again march through you; they will be utterly cut off.
Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains, bringing good news and proclaiming peace. Judah, celebrate your religious festivals and keep your vows, for never again will wicked enemies invade your land—they will be completely destroyed.
