Nahum 1

1 A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.

The declaration about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite.

2 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.

Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges; Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath; Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he continues his anger for his enemies.

3 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.

Yahweh is slow to anger and great in power; he will not allow the wicked to go unpunished. Yahweh makes his way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

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

He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers. Bashan is weak, and Carmel also; the flowers of Lebanon are weak.

5 Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.

The mountains shake in his presence, and the hills melt; the earth collapses in his presence, indeed, the world and all people who live in it.

6 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.

Who can stand before his wrath? Who can resist the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.

7 The Lord is good, a place of safety in a time of trouble. He takes care of those who place their trust in him,

Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he is faithful to those who take refuge in him.

8 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.

But he will make a full end to his enemies with an overwhelming flood; he will pursue them into darkness.

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

What are you people plotting against Yahweh? He will make a full end to it; trouble will not rise up a second time.

10 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.

For they will become tangled up like thornbushes; they will be saturated in their own drink; they will be completely devoured by fire like dry stubble.

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

Someone arose among you, Nineveh, who planned evil against Yahweh, someone who promoted wickedness.

12 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.

This is what Yahweh says, “Even if they are at their full strength and full numbers, they will nevertheless be sheared; their people will be no more. But you, Judah: Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

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

Now will I break that people's yoke from off you; I will break your chains.”

14 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.

Yahweh has given a command about you, Nineveh: “There will be no more descendants bearing your name. I will cut off the carved figures and the cast metal figures from the houses of your gods. I will dig your graves, for you are contemptible.”

15 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.

Look, on the mountains there are the feet of someone who is bringing good news, who is announcing peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and keep your vows, for the wicked one will invade you no more; he is completely cut off.