:
Nahum 1
Introduction 1
The oracle against Nineveh;
the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
God Takes Vengeance against His Enemies 2
The Lord is a zealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and very angry. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies.
The Divine Warrior Destroys His Enemies but Protects His People 3
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished.He marches out in the whirlwind and the raging storm; dark storm clouds billow like dust under his feet.
4
He shouts a battle cry against the sea and makes it dry up;
he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon withers.
5
The mountains tremble before him,
the hills convulse; the earth is laid waste before him, the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste.
6
No one can withstand his indignation!
No one can resist his fierce anger! His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire, boulders are broken up as he approaches.
7
The Lord is good –
indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him.
8
But with an overwhelming flood
he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness.
Denunciation and Destruction of Nineveh 9
Whatever you plot against the Lord, he will completely destroy!
Distress will not arise a second time.
10
Surely they will be totally consumed
like entangled thorn bushes, like the drink of drunkards, like very dry stubble.
11
From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord,
a wicked military strategist.
Oracle of Deliverance to Judah 12
This is what the Lord says:
“Even though they are powerful – and what is more, even though their army is numerous – nevertheless, they will be destroyed and trickle away! Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
13
And now, I will break Assyria’s yoke bar from your neck;
I will tear apart the shackles that are on you.”
Oracle of Judgment against the King of Nineveh 14
The Lord has issued a decree against you:
“Your dynasty will come to an end. I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods. I will desecrate your grave – because you are accursed!”
Proclamation of the Deliverance of Judah 15
Look! A herald is running on the mountains!
A messenger is proclaiming deliverance: “Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah! Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God! For never again will the wicked Assyrians invade you, they have been completely destroyed.”