UNahume 1
1 Umthwalo weNineve. Ugwalo lombono kaNahume umElikoshi.
A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 INkosi inguNkulunkulu olomona lophindiselayo; iNkosi ingumphindiseli, njalo ilolaka; iNkosi ingumphindiseli ezitheni zayo, igcinela izitha zayo ulaka.
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 INkosi iyaphuza ukuthukuthela, njalo yinkulu ngamandla, kayiyikumkhulula lokumkhulula olecala; iNkosi, indlela yayo isesivunguzaneni lesiphepheni, lamayezi aluthuli lwenyawo zayo.
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 Ikhuza ulwandle, ilwenze lome, yomise yonke imifula: IBashani iyabuna, leKharmeli, leluba leLebhanoni liyabuna.
He commands the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon fades.
5 Izintaba ziyanyikinyeka phambi kwayo, lamaqaqa ayancibilika; lelizwe liyaphakama phambi kwayo, lomhlaba, labo bonke abahlala kuwo.
Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.
6 Ngubani ongema phambi kwentukuthelo yayo? Njalo ngubani ongema ekuvutheni kolaka lwayo? Intukuthelo yayo iyathululeka njengomlilo, lamadwala adilizwe yiyo.
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 INkosi ilungile, iyinqaba ngosuku lwenhlupheko; iyabazi abathembela kuyo.
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 Kodwa ngesikhukhula esiphuphumayo izaqeda indawo yakho, lobumnyama buxotshane lezitha zayo.
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 Lenza amacebo bani amelane leNkosi? Yona izakwenza isiphetho esipheleleyo; ukuhlupheka kakuyikuvuka ngokwesibili.
Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
10 Ngoba besathandelene njengameva, bedakiwe njengezidakwa, bazaqedwa njengamabibi omileyo ngokugcweleyo.
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 Kuphumile kuwe onakana okubi emelene leNkosi, umcebisi omubi.
One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
12 Itsho njalo iNkosi: Loba bevikelekile, langokunjalo bebanengi, kanti ngokunjalo bazaqunywa, lapho esedlula. Loba ngikuhluphile, kangisayikukuhlupha.
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 Ngoba khathesi ngizakwephula ijogwe lakhe lisuke kuwe, ngiqamule izibopho zakho.
Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
14 Njalo iNkosi ilayile ngawe ukuthi kakusayikuhlanyelwa lutho lwebizo lakho; ngizaquma izithombe ezibaziweyo lezithombe ezibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa ziphume endlini yabonkulunkulu bakho; ngizakwenza ingcwaba lakho; ngoba udelelekile.
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 Khangelani ezintabeni izinyawo zoletha izindaba ezinhle, omemezela ukuthula! Wena Juda, gubha imikhosi yakho, khokha izifungo zakho; ngoba omubi kasayikudabula kuwe futhi, uqunyiwe ngokupheleleyo.
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.
