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A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Yahweh[a] is a jealous God[b] and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies. Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Yahweh has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes. The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him. Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. What do you plot against Yahweh? He will make a full end. Affliction won’t rise up the second time. 10 For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble. 11 One has gone out of you who devises evil against Yahweh, who counsels wickedness. 12 Yahweh says: “Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. 13 Now I will break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart.” 14 Yahweh has commanded concerning you: “No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, I will cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

15 Behold,[c] on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.

Footnotes

  1. 1:2 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
  2. 1:2 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
  3. 1:15 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

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

God’s Vengeance

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance
and is fierce in[a] wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance against his foes;(C)
he is furious with his enemies.(D)
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.(E)
His path is in the whirlwind and storm,(F)
and clouds are the dust beneath his feet.(G)
He rebukes the sea and dries it up,
and he makes all the rivers run dry.(H)
Bashan and Carmel wither;(I)
even the flower of Lebanon withers.
The mountains quake before him,
and the hills melt;
the earth trembles[b][c] at his presence—
the world and all who live in it.(J)
Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his burning anger?(K)
His wrath is poured out like fire;(L)
even rocks are shattered before him.

Destruction of Nineveh

The Lord is good,
a stronghold in a day of distress;
he cares for those who take refuge(M) in him.
But he will completely destroy Nineveh[d]
with an overwhelming flood,(N)
and he will chase his enemies into darkness.

Whatever you[e] plot against the Lord,
he will bring it to complete destruction;(O)
oppression will not rise up a second time.
10 For they will be consumed
like entangled thorns,(P)
like the drink of a drunkard
and like straw that is fully dry.[f]
11 One has gone out from you,[g]
who plots evil against the Lord,
and is a wicked counselor.

Promise of Judah’s Deliverance

12 This is what the Lord says:

Though they are strong[h] and numerous,
they will still be mowed down,
and he[i] will pass away.
Though I have punished you,[j](Q)
I will punish you no longer.(R)
13 For I will now break off his yoke from you
and tear off your shackles.

The Assyrian King’s Demise

14 The Lord has issued an order concerning you:

There will be no offspring
to carry on your name.[k](S)
I will eliminate the carved idol and cast image
from the house of your gods;(T)
I will prepare your grave,
for you are contemptible.

15 Look to the mountains—
the feet of the herald,(U)
who proclaims peace.
Celebrate your festivals, Judah;
fulfill your vows.
For the wicked one will never again
march through you;
he will be entirely wiped out.

Footnotes

  1. 1:2 Lit is a master of
  2. 1:5 Some emend to earth is laid waste
  3. 1:5 Lit lifts
  4. 1:8 Lit her place
  5. 1:9 = Nineveh
  6. 1:10 Hb obscure
  7. 1:11 Possibly Nineveh
  8. 1:12 Lit intact
  9. 1:12 Either the king of Assyria or his army
  10. 1:12 = Judah
  11. 1:14 Lit It will not be sown from your name any longer