Nahum 1

1An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

2Yahweh is a jealous and avenging God; Yahweh is avenging and full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps his anger against his enemies.

3Yahweh is slow to anger and great in power, and Yahweh will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

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

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

6Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure his burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are shattered before him.

7Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; he knows those who take refuge in him.

8But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of her place, and he will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9Whatever you plot against Yahweh, he will make a complete end of it; distress will not rise up a second time.

10Though they are like tangled thorns and drunk as with their wine, they will be consumed like fully dried stubble.

11From you has come one who plots evil against Yahweh, a worthless counselor.

12This is what Yahweh says: Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

13Now I will break his yoke off you and tear away your chains.

14Yahweh has given a command concerning you: You will have no more descendants to carry on your name. From the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the cast image. I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.

15Look, on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked will never again invade you; they will be completely cut off.