1:1 | The oracle against Nineveh;* the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:* |
1:2 | The Lord is a zealous* and avenging* God; the Lord is avenging and very angry.* The Lord takes vengeance* against his foes; he sustains his rage* against his enemies. |
1:3 | The Lord is slow to anger* but great in power;* the Lord will certainly not* allow the wicked* to go unpunished.He marches out* in the whirlwind and the raging storm; dark storm clouds billow like dust* under his feet.* |
1:4 | He shouts a battle cry* against the sea* and makes it dry up;* he makes all the rivers* run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither;* the blossom of Lebanon withers. |
1:5 | The mountains tremble before him,* the hills convulse;* the earth is laid waste* before him, the world and all its inhabitants* are laid waste.* |
1:6 | No one can withstand* his indignation!* No one can resist* his fierce anger!* His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire, boulders are broken up* as he approaches.* |
1:7 | The Lord is good* – indeed,* he is a fortress* in time of distress,* and he protects* those who seek refuge* in him. |
1:8 | But with an overwhelming flood* he will make a complete end of Nineveh;* he will drive* his enemies into darkness. |
1:9 | Whatever* you plot* against the Lord, he will completely destroy!* Distress* will not arise* a second time. |
1:10 | Surely they will be totally consumed* like* entangled thorn bushes,* like the drink of drunkards,* like very* dry stubble. |
1:11 | From you, O Nineveh,* one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord, a wicked military strategist.* |
1:12 | This is what the Lord says:* “Even though* they are powerful* – and what is more,* even though their army is numerous* – nevertheless,* they will be destroyed* and trickle away!* Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.* |
1:13 | And now,* I will break Assyria’s* yoke bar* from your neck;* I will tear apart the shackles* that are on you.”* |
1:14 | The Lord has issued a decree against you:* “Your dynasty will come to an end.* I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods. I will desecrate* your grave – because you are accursed!”* |
1:15 | * Look! A herald is running* on the mountains! A messenger is proclaiming deliverance:* “Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah! Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God!* For never again* will the wicked* Assyrians* invade* you, they* have been completely destroyed.”* |