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This is the ·message [oracle; burden] for the city of Nineveh [C the capital of the Assyrian empire]. This is the book of the vision of Nahum, ·who was from the town of Elkosh [L the Elkoshite; C of uncertain location].

The Lord Is Angry with Nineveh

The Lord is a ·jealous [zealous] God [Ex. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; Josh. 24:19] who ·punishes [avenges];
    the Lord ·punishes [avenges] and is filled with ·anger [wrath].
The Lord ·punishes [takes vengeance on] ·those who are against him [his adversaries/enemies],
    and he ·stays angry with [or vents his wrath against] his enemies.
The Lord ·does not become angry quickly [L is slow to anger; Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:15; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2],
    and his power is great.
    The Lord will not let the guilty go unpunished.
·Where the Lord goes, there are [L His way/path is in] whirlwinds and storms,
    and the clouds are the dust beneath his feet [C God’s awesome power is seen in nature; the clouds are his chariot; Ps. 68:4; 104:3; Dan. 7:13; Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Rev. 1:7].
He ·speaks to [rebukes] the sea and makes it dry [Ps. 106:9; Matt. 8:26; Luke 8:24];
    he dries up all the rivers.
The areas of Bashan and Carmel dry up,
    and the ·flowers [blossoms] of Lebanon dry up [C areas known for their lush vegetation and fertile land].
The mountains ·shake [tremble] in front of him,
    and the hills melt.
The earth ·trembles [heaves] ·when he comes [before him],
    the world and all who live in it.

·No one [L Who…?] can ·stay alive [withstand/stand before] ·when he is angry [his indignation/anger];
    no one can ·survive [endure] his ·strong [fierce; burning] anger.
His ·anger [wrath] is poured out like fire;
    the rocks ·are smashed by [crumble before] him.

The Lord is good,
    ·giving protection [a stronghold; refuge] in ·times [L the day] of trouble.
    He ·knows [cares for] those who trust in him.
But like a ·rushing [overwhelming] flood,
    he will ·completely destroy [make an end of] ·Nineveh [her place; C Nineveh was destroyed in 612 bc, after Nahum wrote];
    he will ·chase [pursue] his enemies ·until he kills them [into darkness].

The Lord will completely destroy
    ·anyone making plans [or whatever you plot/conspire] against him.
    Trouble will not come a second time.
10 Those people will be ·like tangled [or entangled among] thorns
    or like people drunk from their wine;
    they will be ·burned up quickly [consumed] like ·dry weeds [stubble].
11 Someone has come from ·Nineveh [L you]
    who ·makes evil plans [plots evil] against the Lord
    and gives wicked ·advice [counsel; strategy].
12 This is what the Lord says:
“Although Assyria ·is strong [or has allies] and has many people,
    it will be ·defeated [destroyed] and ·brought to an end [pass away].
Although I have ·made you suffer, Judah [L afflicted you],
    I will ·make you suffer [afflict you] no more.
13 Now I will ·free you from their control [L break his yoke from you]
    and tear away your ·chains [shackles].”

14 The Lord has given you this command, Nineveh:
    “You will not have ·descendants [L seed] to carry on your name.
I will ·destroy [L cut off] the ·idols [carved images] and metal images
    that are in the ·temple [L house] of your gods.
I will ·make [prepare] a grave for you,
    because you are ·wicked [vile; despicable].”

15 Look, there on the ·hills [mountains],
    ·someone is [L the feet of one] bringing good news [Is. 52:7]!
    He is announcing peace!
Celebrate your ·feasts [festivals], people of Judah,
    and ·give your promised sacrifices to God [L fulfill your vows].
The wicked will not come to attack you again;
    they have been completely ·destroyed [L cut off].

A prophecy(A) concerning Nineveh.(B) The book of the vision(C) of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

The Lord is a jealous(D) and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance(E) and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.(F)
The Lord is slow to anger(G) but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.(H)
His way is in the whirlwind(I) and the storm,(J)
    and clouds(K) are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes(L) the sea and dries it up;(M)
    he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel(N) wither
    and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
The mountains quake(O) before him
    and the hills melt away.(P)
The earth trembles(Q) at his presence,
    the world and all who live in it.(R)
Who can withstand(S) his indignation?
    Who can endure(T) his fierce anger?(U)
His wrath is poured out like fire;(V)
    the rocks are shattered(W) before him.

The Lord is good,(X)
    a refuge in times of trouble.(Y)
He cares for(Z) those who trust in him,(AA)
    but with an overwhelming flood(AB)
he will make an end of Nineveh;
    he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Whatever they plot(AC) against the Lord
    he will bring[a] to an end;
    trouble will not come a second time.
10 They will be entangled among thorns(AD)
    and drunk(AE) from their wine;
    they will be consumed like dry stubble.[b](AF)
11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth
    who plots evil against the Lord
    and devises wicked plans.

12 This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous,
    they will be destroyed(AG) and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
    I will afflict you no more.(AH)
13 Now I will break their yoke(AI) from your neck
    and tear your shackles away.”(AJ)

14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
    “You will have no descendants to bear your name.(AK)
I will destroy the images(AL) and idols
    that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,(AM)
    for you are vile.”

15 Look, there on the mountains,
    the feet of one who brings good news,(AN)
    who proclaims peace!(AO)
Celebrate your festivals,(AP) Judah,
    and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;(AQ)
    they will be completely destroyed.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Nahum 1:9 Or What do you foes plot against the Lord? / He will bring it
  2. Nahum 1:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  3. Nahum 1:15 In Hebrew texts this verse (1:15) is numbered 2:1.