Nahum 1 | New International Reader’s Version

1 Here 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

2 The 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. 3 The 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. 4 He 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. 5 He 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. 6 Who 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. 7 The 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. 8 But he will destroy Nineveh with a powerful flood. He will chase his enemies into the place of darkness. 9 The 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. 10 His enemies will be tangled up among thorns. Their wine will make them drunk. They’ll be burned up like dry straw. 11 Nineveh, a king has marched out from you. He makes evil plans against the LORD. He thinks about how he can do what is wrong. 12 The 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. 13 Now I will break Assyria’s yoke off your neck. I will tear off the ropes that hold you.’ 14 Nineveh, 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.’ 15 Look 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.

English Standard Version

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

God’s Wrath Against Nineveh

2 The 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. 3 The 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. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. 5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. 6 Who 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. 7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. 8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries,* and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 9 What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. 10 For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. 11 From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor. 12 Thus 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. 13 And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” 14 The 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.” 15 * 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.

Nahum 1 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

The Lord is angry with Nineveh

God’s Wrath Against Nineveh