Nahum 1

1 The doom 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 A God watchful and avenging is the Lord; an avenger is the Lord, and full of fury; the Lord taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and keepeth in mind the deeds of 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, but he 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 all the rivers he drieth up: Bashan then withereth, with Carmel, and the flowers of Lebanon wither.

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

5 Mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away; and the earth is lifted up 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 Before his indignation who can stand? and who can subsist before the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken 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 on the day of distress; and he knoweth those 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 an overflowing flood will he utterly destroy the place of [Nineveh], and his enemies will he pursue with darkness.

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 will you devise against the Lord? he is bringing about an utter destruction, the distress shall not rise up twice.

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

10 For they, like thorns interwoven, and as men made drunken in their drinking bout, shall be entirely consumed as dry stubble.

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 gone forth out of thee he that devised evil against the Lord, the counsellor of infamous things.

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

12 Thus hath said the Lord, Though they be complete, and ever so many, nevertheless shall they be cut down, and it shall be over [with them]: and if even 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 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and thy bonds will I tear asunder.

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

14 But against thee hath the Lord decreed, that no heir of thy name shall be any more: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven and the molten image; I will prepare thy grave [there]; for thou art made 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 are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, Celebrate thy feasts, O Judah, fulfill thy vows; for never more shall the wicked pass again 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.