< Nahum 1 >
1 The oracle, on Nineveh, —the scroll of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite.
The burden of Ninive. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elcesite.
2 A GOD jealous and avenging, is Yahweh, an avenger, is Yahweh, and a lord of wrath, an avenger, is Yahweh towards his adversaries, and, a retainer [of anger], is he to his foes.
The Lord is a jealous God, and a revenger: the Lord is a revenger, and hath wrath: the Lord taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he is angry with his enemies.
3 Yahweh, is slow to anger, but great in vigour, He will not leave, unpunished, as for Yahweh, in storm-wind and in tempest, is his way, and, clouds, are the dust of his feet.
The Lord is patient, and great in power, and will not cleanse and acquit the guilty. The Lord’s ways are in a tempest, and a whirlwind, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 Who rebuketh the sea and hath made it dry, and, all the streams, hath he dried up, —withered are Bashan and Carmel, Even the bloom of Lebanon, is withered:
He rebuketh the sea, and drieth it up: and bringeth all the rivers to be a desert. Basan languisheth and Carmel: and the dower of Libanus fadeth away.
5 Mountains, have trembled because of him, and, the hills, have melted, —and the earth, hath lifted itself up, at his presence, the world also, and all who dwell therein.
The mountains tremble at him, and the hills are made desolate: and the earth hath quaked at his presence, and the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Before his indignation, who shall stand? And who shall abide the glow of his anger? His wrath, hath been poured forth like fire, and, the rocks, have been broken down because of him.
Who can stand before the face of his indignation? and who shall resist in the fierceness of his anger? his indignation is poured out like fire: and the rocks are melted by him.
7 Good is Yahweh, as a protection in the day of distress, —and one who acknowledgeth them who seek refuge in him.
The Lord is good and giveth strength in the day of trouble: and knoweth them that hope in him.
8 But, with an overflow rolling on, a full end, will he make of them who rise up against him, —and, his foes, will he pursue into darkness.
But with a flood that passeth by, he will make an utter end of the place thereof: and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9 What can ye devise against Yahweh? A full end, is he making, —Distress, shall not rise up twice:
What do ye devise against the Lord? he will make an utter end: there shall not rise a double affliction.
10 Though they were like thorns intertwined, and as drunkards drenched with their drink, yet have they been devoured, like stubble fully dry.
For as thorns embrace one another: so while they are feasting and drinking together, they shall be consumed as stubble that is fully dry.
11 Out of thee, hath one come forth—plotting, against Yahweh, wickedness, —A counselor of the Abandoned One.
Out of thee shall come forth one that imagineth evil against the Lord, contriving treachery in his mind.
12 Thus, saith Yahweh, Though they be in full force, and so in great numbers, yet, even so, have they been cut off, and have passed away, —If I humble thee [once], I will not humble thee again.
Thus saith the Lord: Though they were perfect: and many of them so, yet thus shall they be cut off, and he shall pass: I have afflicted thee, and I will afflict thee no more.
13 Now, therefore, will I break his yoke from off thee, —and, thy fetters, will I tear off.
And now I will break in pieces his rod with which he struck thy back, and I will burst thy bonds asunder.
14 Then will Yahweh give command concerning thee, None of thy name shall be sown any more, —out of the house of thy gods, will I cut off carved image and molten image, I will appoint thy grave, for thou art of little esteem.
And the Lord will give a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name shall be sown: I will destroy the graven and molten thing out of the house of thy God, I will make it thy grave, for thou art disgraced.
15 Lo! upon the mountains, The feet of one, who bringeth Good Tidings! who publisheth Prosperity! Celebrate, O Judah, thy pilgrim festivals, fulfil thy vows, for, not again, any more, shall the Abandoned One, pass through thee, he hath been wholly cut off.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, and that preacheth peace: O Juda, keep thy festivals, and pay thy vows: for Belial shall no more pass through thee again, he is utterly cut off.