Nahum 1

1 The word about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

2 The Lord is a God who takes care of his honour and gives punishment for wrong; the Lord gives punishment and is angry; the Lord sends punishment on those who are against him, being angry with his haters.

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.

3 The Lord is slow to get angry and great in power, and will not let the sinner go without punishment: the way of the Lord is in the wind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

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.

4 He says sharp words to the sea and makes it dry, drying up all the rivers: Bashan is feeble, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon is without strength.

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.

5 The mountains are shaking because of him, and the hills flowing away; the earth is falling to bits before him, the world and all who are in it.

The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers.

6 Who may keep his place before his wrath? and who may undergo the heat of his passion? his wrath is let loose like fire and the rocks are broken open by him.

Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.

7 The Lord is good, a strong place in the day of trouble; and he has knowledge of those who take him for their safe cover.

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.

8 But like water overflowing he will take them away; he will put an end to those who come up against him, driving his haters into the dark.

But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.

9 What are you designing against the Lord? he will put an end to it: his haters will not come up again a second time.

Whatever you plot against the LORD, He will bring to an end. Affliction will not rise up a second time.

10 For though they are like twisted thorns, and are overcome as with drink, they will come to destruction like stems of grass fully dry.

For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard— like stubble that is fully dry.

11 One has gone out from you who is designing evil against the Lord, whose purposes are of no value.

From you, O Nineveh, comes forth a plotter of evil against the LORD, a counselor of wickedness.

12 This is what the Lord has said: The days of my cause against you are ended; they are cut off and past. Though I have sent trouble on you, you will no longer be troubled.

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.

13 And now I will let his yoke be broken off you, and your chains be parted.

For I will now break their yoke from your neck and tear away your shackles.”

14 The Lord has given an order about you, that no more of your name are to be planted: from the house of your gods I will have the pictured and metal images cut off; I will make your last resting-place a place of shame; for you are completely evil.

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.”

15 See on the mountains the feet of him who comes with good news, giving word of peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah, give effect to your oaths: for the good-for-nothing man will never again go through you; he is completely cut off.

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.