< Nahum 1 >

1 A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
5 Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.
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.
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 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.
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, and a comforter in the day of tribulation, and he knows those who hope in 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.
And in the flood that passes over, he brings to consummation the end of his place. And darkness shall pursue his adversaries.
9 Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
What are you thinking up against the Lord? He will accomplish the consummation. There shall not rise up a double tribulation.
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 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.
11 One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
Out of you will go forth one who thinks up evil against the Lord, dragging betrayals through his mind.
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 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.
13 Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
And now I will shatter his rod from your back, and I will break open your 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 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.
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, 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.

< Nahum 1 >