Nahum

Nahum, chapter 1, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 1 New English Translation

Introduction

   1 The oracle against Nineveh; the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

God Takes Vengeance against His Enemies

   2 The LORD is a zealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and very angry. The LORD takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies.

The Divine Warrior Destroys His Enemies but Protects His People

   3 The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished. He marches out in the whirlwind and the raging storm; dark storm clouds billow like dust under his feet.
   4 He shouts a battle cry against the sea and makes it dry up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon withers.
   5 The mountains tremble before him, the hills convulse; the earth is laid waste before him, the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste.
   6 No one can withstand his indignation! No one can resist his fierce anger! His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire, boulders are broken up as he approaches.
   7 The LORD is good - indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him.
   8 But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness.

Denunciation and Destruction of Nineveh

   9 Whatever you plot against the LORD, he will completely destroy! Distress will not arise a second time.
   10 Surely they will be totally consumed like entangled thorn bushes, like the drink of drunkards, like very dry stubble.
   11 From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the LORD, a wicked military strategist.

Oracle of Deliverance to Judah

   12 This is what the LORD says: "Even though they are powerful - and what is more, even though their army is numerous - nevertheless, they will be destroyed and trickle away! Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
   13 And now, I will break Assyria's yoke bar from your neck; I will tear apart the shackles that are on you."

Oracle of Judgment against the King of Nineveh

   14 The LORD has issued a decree against you: "Your dynasty will come to an end. I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods. I will desecrate your grave - because you are accursed!"

Proclamation of the Deliverance of Judah

   15 (1) Look! A herald is running on the mountains! A messenger is proclaiming deliverance: "Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah! Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God! For never again will the wicked Assyrians invade you, they have been completely destroyed."

King James Version

   1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
   2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
   3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
   4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
   5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
   6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
   7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
   8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
   9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
   10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
   11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
   12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
   13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
   14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
   15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.