The Destruction of Nineveh
1 A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God.
The LORD avenges and is full of wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries,
and he maintains wrath against his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
The LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry
and dries up all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel languish,
and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
5 The mountains quake before him,
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the ferocity of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken apart by him.
7 The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble,
and he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood,
he will bring a complete end to Ninevah
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 Whatever you plot against the LORD,
he will bring a complete end to it.
Trouble will not rise up a second time.
10 For while they are entangled like thorns,
like drunkards in their drink,
they will be utterly consumed, like dried straw.
11 There is one who comes from you, Ninevah,
who plots evil against the LORD,
who gives wicked advice.
12 The LORD says:
“Though they are strong and likewise, numerous,
even so they will be destroyed and shall pass away.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no longer.
13 Now I will break Assyria’s yoke from your neck
and will burst your shackles apart.”
14 The LORD has commanded concerning you:
“No more descendants will bear your name.
Out of the house of your gods,
I will cut off the engraved image and the molten image.
I am preparing your grave, for you are vile.”
15 Look! On the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good news,
who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah!
Perform your vows,
for never again will these wicked ones invade you.
They are utterly destroyed.