Nahum 1

Introduction

¹The oracle against Nineveh;the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

God Takes Vengeance against His Enemies

²The 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.

³The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;the Lord will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished.The Divine Warrior Destroys His Enemies but Protects His PeopleHe marches out in the whirlwind and the raging storm;dark storm clouds billow like dust under his feet.

⁴He 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.

⁵The mountains tremble before him,the hills convulse;the earth is laid waste before him,the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste.

⁶No 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.

⁷The Lord is good –indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress,and he protects those who seek refuge in him.

⁸But with an overwhelming floodhe will make a complete end of Nineveh;he will drive his enemies into darkness.

Denunciation and Destruction of Nineveh

⁹Whatever you plot against the Lord, he will completely destroy!Distress will not arise a second time.

¹⁰Surely they will be totally consumedlike entangled thorn bushes,like the drink of drunkards,like very dry stubble.

¹¹From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord,a wicked military strategist.

Oracle of Deliverance to Judah

¹²This 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.

¹³And 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

¹⁴The 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

¹⁵Look! 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.”