Nahum 1
1 The word about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Oracle sur Ninive. Livre de la prophétie de Nahoum l’Elkosite:
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.
"L’Eternel est un Dieu jaloux et vengeur; oui, l’Eternel se venge, il est capable de se courroucer: l’Eternel se venge de ses adversaires et il garde rancune à ses ennemis.
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.
L’Eternel est tardif à la colère, d’une grande force de patience; mais il n’absout pas complètement le mal: l’Eternel marque sa route par la tempête et l’ouragan; la nuée est la poussière de ses pieds.
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.
Il menace la mer et la dessèche, il fait tarir tous les fleuves: le Basan et le Carmel deviennent arides et la fleur du Liban se fane.
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.
Les montagnes tremblent devant lui et les collines se liquéfient. La terre se soulève à son aspect, l’univers et tout ce qui l’habite.
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.
Devant son courroux qui peut tenir ferme? Qui peut résister à l’ardeur de sa colère? Sa fureur se répand comme le feu, les rochers éclatent devant lui.
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.
L’Eternel est bon, il devient un refuge au jour de la détresse; il protège ceux qui se confient en lui.
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.
Mais par le cours impétueux des flots, il balaie les assises de la ville, et ses ennemis, il les rejette violemment dans les ténèbres.
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.
Que méditez-vous contre l’Eternel? Il va consommer la ruine. Le désastre ne s’y prendra pas à deux fois.
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.
Car fussent-ils aussi enchevêtrés que des épines et tout imbibés de leurs boissons, ils seront consumés comme du chaume entièrement sec.
11 One has gone out from you who is designing evil against the Lord, whose purposes are of no value.
C’Est de toi qu’est sorti celui qui nourrissait de mauvaises pensées contre l’Eternel: il formait d’exécrables projets.
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.
Ainsi parle l’Eternel: Si nombreux et puissants qu’ils soient, ils seront quand même fauchés, et c’en sera fini. Je t’accablerai et n’aurai pas besoin de t’accabler une seconde fois.
13 And now I will let his yoke be broken off you, and your chains be parted.
Et ainsi je briserai son joug qui pesait sur toi, et je romprai tes liens.
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.
Mais contre toi l’Eternel rend ce décret: Nul rejeton, se rattachant à ton nom, ne sortira plus de toi; de la maison de ton dieu j’extirperai images sculptées et statues de fonte, et j’en ferai ton tombeau, car tu es bien peu de chose."
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.
Voici venir sur les montagnes les pieds du porteur de bonnes nouvelles, qui annonce la paix. Célèbre tes fêtes, ô Juda, acquitte-toi de tes vœux, car le malfaiteur ne passera plus sur toi, il est totalement exterminé.
