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 God is jealous, and the LORD revenges; the LORD revenges, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves 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 slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, 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 rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers: Bashan languishes, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languishes.

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 burned 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 thrown down by 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 strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust 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 a surpassing flood he will make an utter 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 all of you imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction 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 while they be folded together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, 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 There is one come out of you, that imagines evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

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

12 Thus says the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you 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 For now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds in two.

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

14 And the LORD has given a commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown: out of the house of your gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make your grave; for you are vile.

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 brings good tidings, that publishes peace! O Judah, keep your solemn feasts, perform your vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through you; 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.