Nahum 1

¹A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

²The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.

³The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

⁴He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

⁵The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.

⁶Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

⁷The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

⁸but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

⁹Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.

¹⁰They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.

¹¹From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans.

¹²This is what the Lord says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.

¹³Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”

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

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