Nahum 1

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

A message about Nineveh, a vision which came to Nahum from Elkosh.

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.

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 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.

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 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 dries it up and makes all the streams run dry. Bashan and Carmel are languishing and the bloom of Lebanon is withered.

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

The mountains tremble before him and the hills dissolve. The earth heaves before him, the world and all 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 withstand the heat of his anger? His fierce fury pours forth like fire, he shatters rocks.

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,

The Lord is good to those who hope in him, a place of refuge in the day of trouble.

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.

With rushing flood an end he makes of those who rise against him, he drives his enemies into darkness.

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

Why do you plot against the Lord? He will end you. He only takes vengeance once.

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.

Thorns, tangled and drenched, they are consumed like dry stubble.

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

Nineveh! From you has arisen one who plots evil against the Lord, a counsellor of 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.

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

and now I will break his yoke from your necks and snap 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.

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 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 a messenger bringing good news, announcing peace! ‘Celebrate the feasts, Judah, fulfil your vows. Never again will these enemies invade your land, they are destroyed!’