Nahum 1

1 A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.

The burden of Nineve: the book of the vision of Naum the Elkesite.

2 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.

God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges with wrath; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he cuts off his enemies.

3 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.

The Lord is long-suffering, and his power is great, and the Lord will not hold any guiltless: his way is in destruction and in the whirlwind, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He commands the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon fades.

He threatens the sea, and dries it up, and exhausts all the rivers: the land of Basan, and Carmel are brought low, and the flourishing [trees] of Libanus have come to nought.

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

The mountains quake at him, and the hills are shaken, and the earth recoils at his presence, [even] the world, and all that dwell in it.

6 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.

Who shall stand before his anger? and who shall withstand in the anger of his wrath? his wrath brings to nought kingdoms, and the rocks are burst asunder by him.

7 The Lord is good, a place of safety in a time of trouble. He takes care of those who place their trust in him,

The Lord is good to them that wait on him in the day of affliction; and he knows them that reverence him.

8 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.

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end: darkness shall pursue those that rise up against [him] and his enemies.

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

What do ye devise against the Lord? he will make a complete end: he will not take vengeance by affliction twice at the same time.

10 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.

For [the enemy] shall be laid bare even to the foundation, and shall be devoured as twisted yew, and as stubble fully dry.

11 One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.

Out of thee shall proceed a device against the Lord, counselling evil things hostile [to him].

12 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.

Thus saith the Lord who rules over many waters, Even thus shall they be sent away, and the report of thee shall not be heard any more.

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

And now will I break his rod from off thee, and will burst [thy] bonds.

14 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.

And the Lord shall give a command concerning thee; there shall no more of thy name be scattered: I will utterly destroy the graven [images] out of the house of thy god, and the molten [images]: I will make thy grave; for [they are] swift.

15 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.

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that brings glad tidings, and publishes peace! O Juda, keep thy feasts, pay thy vows: for they shall no more pass through thee to [thy] decay.