Nahum 1

1 The word about 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.

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 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 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 place of safety in a time of trouble. He takes care of those who place their 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 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 What are you designing against the Lord? he will put an end to it: his haters will not come up again a second time.

Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.

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.

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

One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning 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: 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 And now I will let his yoke be broken off you, and your chains be parted.

Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.

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.

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 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! 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.