Nahum 1

1 THE BURDEN of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

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

2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God, the LORD avengeth and is full of wrath; the LORD taketh vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies.

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.

3 The LORD is long-suffering, and great in power, and will by no means clear the guilty; the LORD, in the whirlwind and in the storm is His way, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.

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.

4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers; Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

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

5 The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt; and the earth is upheaved at His presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

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

6 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 broken asunder before Him.

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.

7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that take refuge in Him.

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

8 But with an overrunning flood He will make a full end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue His enemies.

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.

9 What do ye devise against the LORD? He will make a full end; trouble shall not rise up the second time.

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

10 For though they be like tangled thorns, and be drunken according to their drink, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

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.

11 Out of thee came he forth, that deviseth evil against the LORD, that counselleth wickedness.

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

12 Thus saith the LORD: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away; and though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

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.

13 And now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

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

14 And the LORD hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown; out of the house of thy god will I cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou art become worthless.

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.

15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that announceth peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah, perform thy vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

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.