1Here is a prophecy the LORD gave Nahum, who was from the town of Elkosh. The prophecy came in a vision and is written in a book. The prophecy is about Nineveh.
The Lord is angry with Nineveh
2The LORD is a jealous God who punishes people. He pays them back for the evil things they do. He directs his anger against them. The LORD punishes his enemies. He holds his anger back until the right time to use it.3The LORD is slow to get angry. But he is very powerful. The LORD will not let guilty people go without punishing them. When he marches out, he stirs up winds and storms. Clouds are the dust kicked up by his feet.4He controls the seas. He dries them up. He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Mount Carmel dry up. The flowers in Lebanon fade.5He causes the mountains to shake. The hills melt away. The earth trembles because he is there. The world and all those who live in it also tremble.6Who can stand firm when his anger burns? Who can live when he is angry? His anger blazes out like fire. He smashes the rocks to pieces.7The LORD is good. When people are in trouble, they can go to him for safety. He takes good care of those who trust in him.8But he will destroy Nineveh with a powerful flood. He will chase his enemies into the place of darkness.9The LORD will put an end to anything they plan against him. He won’t allow Assyria to win the battle over his people a second time.10His enemies will be tangled up among thorns. Their wine will make them drunk. They’ll be burned up like dry straw.11Nineveh, a king has marched out from you. He makes evil plans against the LORD. He thinks about how he can do what is wrong.12The LORD says, ‘His army has many soldiers. Other nations are helping them. But they will be destroyed and pass away. Judah, I punished you. But I will not do it anymore.13Now I will break Assyria’s yoke off your neck. I will tear off the ropes that hold you.’14Nineveh, the LORD has given an order concerning you. He has said, ‘You will not have any children to carry on your name. I will destroy the wooden and metal statues that are in the temple of your gods. I will get your grave ready for you. You are worthless.’15Look at the mountains of Judah! I see a messenger running to bring good news! He’s telling us that peace has come! People of Judah, celebrate your feasts. Carry out your promises. The evil Assyrians won’t attack you again. They’ll be completely destroyed.
Nahum 1
English Standard Version
1An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. (Isa 13:1; Jon 1:2; Na 2:8; Na 3:7)
God’s Wrath Against Nineveh
2The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. (Ex 20:5; Ps 92:9; Ps 103:9)3The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Ex 34:6; Ex 34:7; Job 9:4; Ps 18:9; Ps 97:2; Ps 147:5)4He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. (Jos 19:26; Ps 106:9; Isa 33:9; Isa 50:2)5The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. (Ps 98:7; Jer 4:24; Am 9:13; Hab 3:6)6Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. (2Ch 34:21; Ps 79:6; Eze 38:20; Mal 3:2)7The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Ps 1:6; Ps 46:1; Ps 100:5; Isa 25:4; Jer 33:11; Joh 10:14; Joh 10:27; 1Co 8:3; 2Ti 2:19)8But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries,[1] and will pursue his enemies into darkness. (Isa 8:22; Isa 30:28)9What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. (Isa 10:7; Jer 4:27)10For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. (Joe 2:5; Mic 7:4)11From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor. (2Ki 19:22; Na 1:9)12Thus says the Lord, “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. (Isa 9:1; Isa 10:33; Isa 37:36; Na 1:9)13And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” (Isa 9:4; Isa 10:27; Isa 14:25)14The Lord has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.” (2Ki 19:37; Ps 109:13; Isa 30:33; Eze 32:21; Na 3:6)15[2] Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off. (Nu 30:2; Isa 30:29; Isa 52:7; Joe 3:17; Na 1:12; Ro 10:15)