Nahum 1
1 A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.
The prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the prophecy 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.
Jehovah is a jealous God, and an avenger; Jehovah is an avenger, and full of wrath! Jehovah taketh vengeance on his adversaries, And keepeth indignation for 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.
Jehovah is slow to anger, but great in power; He will by no means clear the guilty; Jehovah cometh in the whirlwind and the storm, 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 rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, And drieth up all the rivers. Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, And the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5 Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.
The mountains tremble before him, And the hills melt; The earth is moved at his presence, Yea, the world and all that dwell therein.
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 before his indignation, And who can abide before the fierceness of his anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are cast down 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,
Jehovah is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; He careth for them that trust 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.
But with an overwhelming flood will he make a full end of her place, And darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9 Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
What do ye meditate against Jehovah? He will make a full end; Not the second time shall the calamity come.
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 while they are entangled like thorns, And like those that are drunk with wine, They shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11 One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
From thee hath gone forth one that devised evil against Jehovah; That meditated destruction.
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 Jehovah: Though they be flourishing, and likewise many, Yet shall they be cut down, and pass away; I have afflicted thee, but I will afflict thee no more.
13 Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
For now will I break his yoke from off thee, And will burst thy bonds in sunder.
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 concerning thee hath Jehovah given command, That thy name shall no more be sown. From the house of thy god I will cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou hast become vile!
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 bringeth good tidings, That publisheth peace! Keep, O Judah, thy feasts, perform thy vows! For no more shall the destroyer pass through thee; He is utterly consumed.
