Nahum 1:1–8

The 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.