Nahum1

¹This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.

²The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!

³The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.

⁴At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither.

⁵In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed.

⁶Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.

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!”

¹⁵Look! 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!