Nahum 1

1The oracle ^aconcerning Nineveh. ^bThe book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

God’s Vengeance

²The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;

the Lord takes vengeance

and is fierce in ^cwrath.

The Lord takes vengeance against His foes; ^d

He is furious with His enemies. ^e

³The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;

the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished. ^f

His path is in the whirlwind and storm, ^g

and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. ^h

⁴He rebukes the sea so that it dries up,

and He makes all the rivers run dry. ⁱ

Bashan and Carmel wither; ^j

even the flower of Lebanon withers.

⁵The mountains quake before Him,

and the hills melt;

the earth trembles ^klat His presence—

the world and all who live in it. ^m

⁶Who can withstand His indignation?

Who can endure His burning anger? ⁿ

His wrath is poured out like fire, ^o

even rocks are shattered before Him.

Destruction of Nineveh

⁷The Lord is good,

a stronghold in a day of distress;

He cares for those who take refuge ^pin Him.

⁸But He will completely destroy Nineveh ^q

with an overwhelming flood, ^r

and He will chase His enemies into darkness.

⁹Whatever you ^splot against the Lord,

He will bring it to complete destruction; ^t

oppression will not rise up a second time.

¹⁰For they will be consumed

like entangled thorns, ^u

like the drink of a drunkard

and like straw that is fully dry. ^v

¹¹One has gone out from you, ^w

who plots evil against Yahweh,

and is a wicked counselor.

Promise of Judah’s Deliverance

¹²This is what the Lord says:

Though they are strong ^xand numerous,

they will still be mowed down,

and he ^ywill pass away.

Though I have afflicted you, ^za

I will afflict you no longer. ^b

¹³For I will now break off his yoke from you

and tear off your shackles.

The Assyrian King’s Demise

¹⁴The Lord has issued an order concerning you:

There will be no offspring

to carry on your name. ^cd

I will eliminate the carved idol and cast image

from the house of your gods; ^e

I will prepare your grave,

for you are contemptible.

^15fLook to the mountains—

the feet of one bringing good news ^g

and proclaiming peace!

Celebrate your festivals, Judah;

fulfill your vows.

For the wicked one will never again

march through you;

he will be entirely wiped out.