Nahum 1
1 The oracle, on Nineveh, —the scroll of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite.
A message about Nineveh, a vision which came to Nahum from Elkosh.
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 tolerates no rivals. The Lord is vengeful and fierce in wrath. The Lord does not fail to punish his foes; the Lord is vengeful against 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 slow to anger, great in power. The guilty will not escape his punishment. Storm tempest is his path and cloud is 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 rebukes the sea and dries it up and makes all the streams run dry. Bashan and Carmel are languishing and the bloom of Lebanon is withered.
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 before him and the hills dissolve. The earth heaves before him, the world and all who live in it.
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 his wrath? Who can withstand the heat of his anger? His fierce fury pours forth like fire, he shatters rocks.
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 to those who hope in him, a place of refuge in the day of trouble.
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.
With rushing flood an end he makes of those who rise against him, he drives his enemies into darkness.
9 What can ye devise against Yahweh? A full end, is he making, —Distress, shall not rise up twice:
Why do you plot against the Lord? He will end you. He only takes vengeance once.
10 Though they were like thorns intertwined, and as drunkards drenched with their drink, yet have they been devoured, like stubble fully dry.
Thorns, tangled and drenched, they are consumed like dry stubble.
11 Out of thee, hath one come forth—plotting, against Yahweh, wickedness, —A counselor of the Abandoned One.
Nineveh! From you has arisen one who plots evil against the Lord, a counsellor of wickedness.
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.
The Lord says: “Though they are many and strong, they will pass away and be gone. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you 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 his yoke from your necks and snap your chains.”
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.
The Lord has given this command concerning you, Nineveh: “Your name will no longer be remembered. I will destroy every idol and image in the house of your God. I will destroy even your tomb, for you are worthless.”
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.
Look! On the mountains a messenger bringing good news, announcing peace! “Celebrate the feasts, Judah, fulfill your vows. Never again will these enemies invade your land, they are destroyed!”
