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.
Jehovah is a jealous God and avenges. Jehovah avenges and is full of wrath. Jehovah takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath 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, and great in power, and will by no means clear the guilty. Jehovah has his way in the whirlwind and in 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 rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
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 melt, and the earth is up heaved at his presence. Yea, the world, and all who 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 in the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart 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, and he knows those who take refuge 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 over running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
What do ye devise against Jehovah? He will make a full end. Affliction shall not rise up the second 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 entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly as dry stubble.
11 One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
He has gone forth out of thee, who devises evil against Jehovah, who counsels wickedness.
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 Jehovah: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they shall be cut down. And he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13 Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
And now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds apart.
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 Jehovah has given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown. Out of the house of thy gods I will cut off the graven image and the molten image. I will make thy grave, for thou are 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 who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah. Perform thy vows, for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee. He is utterly cut off.
