1 The oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;the Lord takes vengeanceand is fierce in wrath.The Lord takes vengeance against His foes; He is furious with His enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;the Lord will never 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 so that it dries up,and He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; even the flower of Lebanon withers.
5 The mountains quake before Him,and the hills melt;the earth trembles at His presence —the world and all who live in it.
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 a day of distress;He cares for those who take refuge in Him.
8 But He will completely destroy Nineveh with an overwhelming flood, and He will chase His enemies into darkness.
9 Whatever you plot against the Lord,He will bring it to complete destruction; oppression will not rise up a second time.
10 For they will be consumedlike entangled thorns, like the drink of a drunkardand like straw that is fully dry.
11 One has gone out from you, who plots evil against Yahweh,and is a wicked counselor.
12 This is what the Lord says:Though they are strong and numerous,they will still be mowed down,and he will pass away.Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer.
13 For I will now break off his yoke from youand tear off your shackles.
14 The Lord has issued an order concerning you:There will be no offspringto carry on your name. I will eliminate the carved idol and cast imagefrom the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave,for you are contemptible.
15 Look to the mountains —the feet of one bringing good news and proclaiming peace!Celebrate your festivals, Judah;fulfill your vows.For the wicked one will never againmarch through you;he will be entirely wiped out.