1 I am Nahum from Elkosh. And this is the message that I wrote down about Nineveh.
2 The Lord God demands loyalty.In his anger, he takes revengeon his enemies.
3 The Lord is powerful,yet patient;he makes sure that the guiltyare always punished.He can be seen in stormsand in whirlwinds;clouds are the dust from his feet.
4 At the Lord's command,oceans and rivers dry up.Bashan, Mount Carmel,and Lebanon wither,and their flowers fade.
5 At the sight of the Lord,mountains and hillstremble and melt;the earth and its peopleshudder and shake.
6 Who can stand the heatof his furious anger?It flashes out like fireand shatters stones.
7 The Lord is good.He protects those who trust himin times of trouble.
8 But like a roaring flood,the Lord chases his enemiesinto dark placesand destroys them.
9 So don't plot against the Lord!He wipes out his enemies,and they never revive.
10 They are like drunkardsovercome by wine,or like dry thorn bushesburning in a fire.
11 Assyria, one of your rulershas made evil plansagainst the Lord.
12 But the Lord says, “Assyria,no matter how strong you are,you are doomed!My people Judah,I have troubled you before,but I won't do it again.
13 I'll snap your chainsand set you freefrom the Assyrians.”
14 Assyria, this is what elsethe Lord says to you:“Your name will be forgotten.I will destroy every idolin your temple,and I will send you to the grave,because you are worthless.”
15 Look towards the mountains,people of Judah!Here comes a messengerwith good news of peace.Celebrate your festivals.Keep your promises to God.Your evil enemies are destroyedand will never againinvade your country.