Nahum 1
1 A prophecy about Nineveh: the scroll of the vision that came to Nahum the Elkoshite.
Isiqalekiso ngeNiniva. Incwadi yombono kaNahume umʼElikhoshi.
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.
UThixo uNkulunkulu olobukhwele lophindiselayo; uThixo uyaphindisela njalo ulolaka olukhulu. UThixo uyaphindisela ezitheni zakhe lolaka lwakhe lukhulu ezitheni zakhe.
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.
UThixo uyaphuza ukuthukuthela njalo ulamandla amakhulu; uThixo kayikumyekela olecala engajeziswanga. Indlela yakhe iphakathi kwesivunguzane lesiphepho, amayezi aluthuli lwezinyawo zakhe.
4 He commands the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon fades.
Ukhuza ulwandle alomise; wenza yonke imifula itshe. IBhashani leKhameli kuyabuna lemiqhakazo yaseLebhanoni ibune.
5 Mountains quake in his presence; hills melt away. The earth trembles before him—the whole world and everyone who lives there.
Izintaba ziyanyikinyeka phambi kwakhe, lamaqaqa ayancibilika. Umhlaba uyagedezela ngobukhona bakhe, umhlaba labo bonke abahlala kuwo.
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.
Ngubani ongamelana lentukuthelo yakhe na? Ngubani ongalumela ulaka lwakhe oluvuthayo na? Ulaka lwakhe luthululeka njengomlilo; amadwala ayaqhekezeka phambi kwakhe.
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,
UThixo ulungile, uyisiphephelo ezikhathini zokuhlupheka. Uyabakhathalela abathembele kuye,
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.
kodwa ngesikhukhula esikhulu uzatshabalalisa iNiniva; uzaxotshela izitha zakhe emnyameni.
9 Why are you plotting against the Lord? He will end it completely; misery won't arise twice.
Loba engamacebo bani abawenza ngoThixo, uzawaqeda; ukuhlupheka akuyikubuya kabili.
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.
Bazathandeleka phakathi kwameva, bedakwe liwayini labo; bazaqothulwa njengenhlanga ezomileyo.
11 One of you is plotting evil against the Lord, someone who is planning wickedness.
Wena Nineve, kuwe sekufike lowo oceba okubi ngoThixo, eluleke okubi.
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.
Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo: “Lanxa belababambene labo njalo bebanengi, bazaqothulwa banyamalale. Lanxa ngikuhluphile, wena Juda, kangisayikukuhlupha futhi.
13 Now I will break their yoke from your necks and tear away the chains which bind you.
Khathesi ngizakwephula ijogwe labo elisentanyeni yakho, ngiqamule lamaketane akho.”
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.
UThixo usekhuphe ilizwi ngawe Nineve elithi, “Kawuyikuba lezizukulwane ezibizwa ngebizo lakho. Ngizachitha izifanekiso ezibaziweyo lezithombe ezibunjiweyo ezisethempelini labonkulunkulu bakho. Ngizalungisa ingcwaba lakho, ngoba ungcolile.”
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.
Khangela ezintabeni le, inyawo zalowo oletha izindaba ezinhle, omemezela ukuthula! Thakazelela imikhosi yakho we Juda, ugcwalise lezifungo zakho. Ababi kabasayikukuhlasela futhi; bazachithwa ngokupheleleyo.
