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 jealous, and the LORD avengeth; the LORD avengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth 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.

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath 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 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 quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned 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 can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown 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,

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth 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 overrunning flood he will make an utter end of its 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 imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter 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 while they are entangled together as thorns, and while they are drunk as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

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

There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

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; Though they are quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. 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.

For now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds asunder.

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 hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art 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 proclaimeth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.