The Burden against Nineveh
1 This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD is avenging and full of wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on His foes
and reserves wrath for His enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger
and great in power;
the LORD will by no means
leave the guilty unpunished.
His path is in the whirlwind and storm,
and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither,
and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
5 The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt away;
the earth trembles at His presence—
the world and all its dwellers.
6 Who can withstand His indignation?
Who can endure His burning anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
even rocks are shattered before Him.
7 The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of distress;
He cares for those who trust in Him.
8 But with an overwhelming flood
He will make an end of Nineveh1:8 Literally of her place
and pursue His enemies into darkness.
9 Whatever you plot against the LORD,
He will bring to an end.
Affliction will not rise up
a second time.
10 For they will be entangled as with thorns
and consumed like the drink of a drunkard —
like stubble that is fully dry.
11 From you, O Nineveh, comes forth
a plotter of evil against the LORD,
a counselor of wickedness.
12 This is what the LORD says:
"Though they are allied and numerous,
yet they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you, O Judah,
I will afflict you no longer.
13 For I will now break their yoke from your neck
and tear away your shackles."
14 The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh:
"There will be no descendants
to carry on your name.
I will cut off the carved image and cast idol
from the house of your gods;
I will prepare your grave,
for you are contemptible."
15 Look to the mountains—
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows.
For the wicked will never again march through you;
they will be utterly cut off.