Nahum 1

¹A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

²The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;

the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.

The Lord takes vengeance on his foes

and vents his wrath against his enemies.

³The Lord is slow to anger but 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.

⁴He rebukes the sea and dries it up;

he makes all the rivers run dry.

Bashan and Carmel wither

and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

⁵The mountains quake before him

and the hills melt away.

The earth trembles at his presence,

the world and all who live in it.

⁶Who can withstand his indignation?

Who can endure his fierce anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire;

the rocks are shattered before him.

⁷The Lord is good,

a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in him,

⁸but with an overwhelming flood

he will make an end of Nineveh;

he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

⁹Whatever they plot against the Lord

he will bring to an end;

trouble will not come a second time.

¹⁰They will be entangled among thorns

and drunk from their wine;

they will be consumed like dry stubble.

¹¹From you, Nineveh, has one come forth

who plots evil against the Lord

and devises wicked plans.

¹²This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous,

they will be destroyed and pass away.

Although I have afflicted you, Judah,

I will afflict you no more.

¹³Now I will break their yoke from your neck

and tear your shackles away.”

¹⁴The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:

“You will have no descendants to bear your name.

I will destroy the images and idols

that are in the temple of your gods.

I will prepare your grave,

for you are vile.”

¹⁵Look, there on the mountains,

the feet of one who brings good news,

who proclaims peace!

Celebrate your festivals, Judah,

and fulfill your vows.

No more will the wicked invade you;

they will be completely destroyed.