Nahum 1
1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Oracle sur Ninive. Livre de la prophétie de Nahoum l’Elkosite:
2 God is a rival, and the Lord is avenging. The Lord is avenging, and one who applies wrath. The Lord is avenging with his enemies, and he becomes angry with his adversaries.
"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 patient and great in strength, and those who are not clean, he makes innocent. The Lord is in a tempest, and his way is a whirlwind, and the clouds are dust at 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 is the one who rebukes the sea, and who dries it up, and who leads all the rivers to the desert. Basan has been weakened, and also Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon has languished.
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 have trembled before him, and the hills have become desolate, and the earth has quaked before his face, both the world and all that dwells 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 can stand firm before the face of his indignation? And who can continue against the fury of his wrath? His indignation has broken out like a fire, and the rocks have been dissolved before 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, and a comforter in the day of tribulation, and he knows those who hope in him.
L’Eternel est bon, il devient un refuge au jour de la détresse; il protège ceux qui se confient en lui.
8 And in the flood that passes over, he brings to consummation the end of his place. And darkness shall pursue his adversaries.
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 thinking up against the Lord? He will accomplish the consummation. There shall not rise up a double tribulation.
Que méditez-vous contre l’Eternel? Il va consommer la ruine. Le désastre ne s’y prendra pas à deux fois.
10 For just as thorns entwine one another, so also, while they are feasting and drinking together, they will be consumed like stubble that is completely dry.
Car fussent-ils aussi enchevêtrés que des épines et tout imbibés de leurs boissons, ils seront consumés comme du chaume entièrement sec.
11 Out of you will go forth one who thinks up evil against the Lord, dragging betrayals through his mind.
C’Est de toi qu’est sorti celui qui nourrissait de mauvaises pensées contre l’Eternel: il formait d’exécrables projets.
12 Thus says the Lord: If they had been perfect, and many of them so, yet still they would be pruned, and it will cross through them. I have afflicted you, and I shall afflict you no more.
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 shatter his rod from your back, and I will break open your bonds.
Et ainsi je briserai son joug qui pesait sur toi, et je romprai tes liens.
14 And the Lord will place a commandment over you; nothing more from your name will be sown. From the house of your God, I will order destroyed the graven image and the molten image. I will prepare your grave, because you are not honorable.
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 Behold, over the mountains, the feet of the Evangelizer and the Announcer of peace. Judah, celebrate your festivals and keep your vows. For Belial will never again pass through you; he has completely passed away.
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.
