Nahum 1:7–15

⁷The Lord is good,

a strong refuge when trouble comes.

He is close to those who trust in him.

⁸But he will sweep away his enemies

in an overwhelming flood.

He will pursue his foes

into the darkness of night.

⁹Why are you scheming against the Lord?

He will destroy you with one blow;

he won’t need to strike twice!

¹⁰His enemies, tangled like thornbushes

and staggering like drunks,

will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.

¹¹Who is this wicked counselor of yours

who plots evil against the Lord?

¹²This is what the Lord says:

“Though the Assyrians have many allies,

they will be destroyed and disappear.

O my people, I have punished you before,

but I will not punish you again.

¹³Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck

and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”

¹⁴And this is what the Lord says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh:

“You will have no more children to carry on your name.

I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods.

I am preparing a grave for you

because you are despicable!”

¹⁵ Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news!

He is bringing a message of peace.

Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah,

and fulfill all your vows,

for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again.

They will be completely destroyed!