A prophecy(A) concerning Nineveh.(B) The book of the vision(C) of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

The Lord is a jealous(D) and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance(E) and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.(F)
The Lord is slow to anger(G) but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.(H)
His way is in the whirlwind(I) and the storm,(J)
    and clouds(K) are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes(L) the sea and dries it up;(M)
    he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel(N) wither
    and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
The mountains quake(O) before him
    and the hills melt away.(P)
The earth trembles(Q) at his presence,
    the world and all who live in it.(R)
Who can withstand(S) his indignation?
    Who can endure(T) his fierce anger?(U)
His wrath is poured out like fire;(V)
    the rocks are shattered(W) before him.

The Lord is good,(X)
    a refuge in times of trouble.(Y)
He cares for(Z) those who trust in him,(AA)
    but with an overwhelming flood(AB)
he will make an end of Nineveh;
    he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Whatever they plot(AC) against the Lord
    he will bring[a] to an end;
    trouble will not come a second time.
10 They will be entangled among thorns(AD)
    and drunk(AE) from their wine;
    they will be consumed like dry stubble.[b](AF)
11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth
    who plots evil against the Lord
    and devises wicked plans.

12 This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous,
    they will be destroyed(AG) and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
    I will afflict you no more.(AH)
13 Now I will break their yoke(AI) from your neck
    and tear your shackles away.”(AJ)

14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
    “You will have no descendants to bear your name.(AK)
I will destroy the images(AL) and idols
    that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,(AM)
    for you are vile.”

15 Look, there on the mountains,
    the feet of one who brings good news,(AN)
    who proclaims peace!(AO)
Celebrate your festivals,(AP) Judah,
    and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;(AQ)
    they will be completely destroyed.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Nahum 1:9 Or What do you foes plot against the Lord? / He will bring it
  2. Nahum 1:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  3. Nahum 1:15 In Hebrew texts this verse (1:15) is numbered 2:1.

This book is the vision of Nahum from Elkosh. This is the sad message about the city of Nineveh.[a]

The Lord Is Angry at Nineveh

The Lord is a jealous God.
    The Lord punishes the guilty,
    and he is very angry.
The Lord punishes his enemies,
    and he stays angry with them.
The Lord is patient,
    but he is also very powerful!
The Lord will punish the guilty;
    he will not let them go free.
He will use whirlwinds and storms to show his power.
    People walk on the dusty ground, but he walks on the clouds.
He will speak harshly to the sea, and it will become dry.
    He will dry up all the rivers.
The rich lands of Bashan and Carmel become dry and dead.
    The flowers in Lebanon fade away.
The Lord will come,
    and the mountains will shake
    and the hills will melt away.
He will come,
    and the earth will shake with fear.
The earth and everyone on it
    will shake with fear.
No one can stand against his great anger.
    No one can endure his terrible anger.
His anger will burn like fire.
    The rocks will shatter when he comes.
The Lord is good.
    He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble.
    He takes care of those who trust him.
But he will completely destroy his enemies.
    He will wash them away like a flood
    and chase them into the darkness.
Why are you making plans against the Lord?
    He will bring complete destruction,
    so you will not cause trouble again.
10 You will be destroyed completely
    like thornbushes burning under a pot.
You will be destroyed
    like dry weeds that burn quickly.

11 Someone from Nineveh is making evil plans against the Lord.
    That advisor is a worthless troublemaker.
12 This is what the Lord said:
“The people of Assyria are at full strength.
    They have many soldiers, but they will all be cut down.
    They will all be finished.
My people, I made you suffer,
    but I will make you suffer no more.
13 Now I will set you free from the power of Assyria.
    I will take the yoke off your neck
    and tear away the chains holding you.”

14 King of Assyria, the Lord gave this command about you:
    “You will not have any descendants to wear your name.
I will destroy your carved idols
    and metal statues that are in the temple of your gods.
I am preparing your grave,
    because your end is coming soon![b]

15 Judah, look!
    There, coming over the mountains, is a messenger bringing good news!
    He says there is peace.
Judah, celebrate your special festivals
    and do what you promised.
Those worthless troublemakers will not come through and attack you again.
    They have all been destroyed.

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Footnotes

  1. Nahum 1:1 Nineveh The capital city of the country of Assyria. Assyria destroyed Israel in 722–721 B.C.
  2. Nahum 1:14 because your end is coming soon Or “you are not important” or “you are so hated.”