Nahum 1

1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord's Anger Against Nineveh

2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
and maintains his wrath against his enemies.

3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

5 The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.

6 Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.

7 The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,

8 but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh ;
he will pursue his foes into darkness.

9 Whatever they plot against the Lord
he will bring to an end;
trouble will not come a second time.

10 They will be entangled among thorns
and drunk from their wine;
they will be consumed like dry stubble.

11 From you, O Nineveh , has one come forth
who plots evil against the Lord
and counsels wickedness.

12 This is what the Lord says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous,
they will be cut off and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, O Judah ,
I will afflict you no more.

13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck
and tear your shackles away.”

14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh :
“You will have no descendants to bear your name.
I will destroy the carved images and cast idols
that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are vile.”

15 Look, there on the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, O Judah,
and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely destroyed.

NAHUM 1

1  t I am Nahum from Elkosh.t And this is the messaget that I wrote down about Nineveh.t

The Fierce Anger //of the [Lord]

2 The [Lord] God demands loyalty.
In his anger, he takes revenge
on his enemies.

3 The [Lord] is powerful,
yet patient;
he makes sure that the guilty
are always punished.
He can be seen in storms
and in whirlwinds;
clouds are the dust from his feet.

4 At the [Lord]'s command,
oceans and rivers dry up.
Bashan, Mount Carmel,
and Lebanont wither,
and their flowers fade.

5 At the sight of the [Lord],
mountains and hills
tremble and melt;
the earth and its people
shudder and shake.

6 Who can stand the heat
of his furious anger?
It flashes out like fire
and shatters stones.

The Power of Assyria //Will Be Broken

7 The [Lord] is good.
He protects those who trust him
in times of trouble.

8 But like a roaring flood,
the [Lord] chases his enemies
into dark places
and destroys them.t

9 So don't plot against the [Lord]!
He wipes out his enemies,
and they never revive.

10 They are like drunkards
overcome by wine,
or like twisted thornbushes
burning in a fire.t

11 Assyria, one of your rulers
has made evil plans
against the [Lord].

12 But the [Lord] says, “Assyria,
no matter how strong you are,
you will be cut down!
My people Judah,
I have troubled you before,
but I won't do it again.

13 I'll snap your chains
and set you free
from the Assyrians.”

14 Assyria, this is what else
the [Lord] says to you:
“Your name will be forgotten.
I will destroy every idol
in your temple,
and I will send you to the grave,
because you are worthless.”

15  t Look toward the mountains,
people of Judah!
Here comes a messenger
with good news of peace.
Celebrate your festivals.
Keep your promises to God.
Your evil enemies are destroyed
and will never again
invade your country.