Nahum 1

1 An oracle about 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 God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against 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 by no means leave the guilty unpunished. 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 before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.

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? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart 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 stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who 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 overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into 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 do you plot against the LORD? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.

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

10 For entangled like thorns, and drunk as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like 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 one gone forth out of you, who devises evil against the LORD, who counsels wickedness.

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

12 Thus says the LORD: "Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. 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 Now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."

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

14 The LORD has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, will I cut off the engraved 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 Look, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace. Keep your feasts, Judah. Perform your vows, for the wicked one will 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.