Nahum 1

1 The oracle, on Nineveh, —the scroll of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite.

An oracle about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

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.

YHWH is a jealous God and avenges. YHWH avenges and is full of wrath. YHWH takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath 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.

YHWH is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. YHWH has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are 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 makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.

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 quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell 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 indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.

7 Good is Yahweh, as a protection in the day of distress, —and one who acknowledgeth them who seek refuge in him.

YHWH is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.

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.

But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9 What can ye devise against Yahweh? A full end, is he making, —Distress, shall not rise up twice:

What do you plot against YHWH? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.

10 Though they were like thorns intertwined, and as drunkards drenched with their drink, yet have they been devoured, like stubble fully dry.

For entangled like thorns, and drunk as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.

11 Out of thee, hath one come forth—plotting, against Yahweh, wickedness, —A counselor of the Abandoned One.

There is one gone forth out of you, who devises evil against YHWH, who counsels 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.

Thus says YHWH: "Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. 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.

Now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."

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.

YHWH has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, will I cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."

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 the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace. Keep your feasts, Judah. Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.