Nahum 1:1-3:10

1A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The LORD’s Anger Against Nineveh 2The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.

3The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

4He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

5The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.

6Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

7The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

8but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

9Whatever they plot against the LORD he will bring Or What do you foes plot against the Lord? / He will bring it to an end; trouble will not come a second time.

10They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble. The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

11From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the LORD and devises wicked plans.

12This is what the LORD says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.

13Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”

14The LORD has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: “You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.” 15Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed. In Hebrew texts this verse (1:15) is numbered 2:1.

Nineveh to Fall 1In Hebrew texts 2:1-13 is numbered 2:2-14. An attacker advances against you, Nineveh. Guard the fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal all your strength!

2The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines.

3The shields of the soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. The metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are made ready; the spears of juniper are brandished. Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac ready; / the horsemen rush to and fro.

4The chariots storm through the streets, rushing back and forth through the squares. They look like flaming torches; they dart about like lightning.

5Nineveh summons her picked troops, yet they stumble on their way. They dash to the city wall; the protective shield is put in place.

6The river gates are thrown open and the palace collapses.

7It is decreed The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. that Nineveh be exiled and carried away. Her female slaves moan like doves and beat on their breasts.

8Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. “Stop! Stop!” they cry, but no one turns back.

9Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! The supply is endless, the wealth from all its treasures!

10She is pillaged, plundered, stripped! Hearts melt, knees give way, bodies tremble, every face grows pale.

11Where now is the lions’ den, the place where they fed their young, where the lion and lioness went, and the cubs, with nothing to fear?

12The lion killed enough for his cubs and strangled the prey for his mate, filling his lairs with the kill and his dens with the prey. 13“I am against you,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will burn up your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.”

Woe to Nineveh 1Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!

2The crack of whips, the clatter of wheels, galloping horses and jolting chariots!

3Charging cavalry, flashing swords and glittering spears! Many casualties, piles of dead, bodies without number, people stumbling over the corpses—

4all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.

5“I am against you,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame.

6I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle.

7All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins—who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort you?”

8Are you better than Thebes, situated on the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense, the waters her wall.

9Cush That is, the upper Nile region and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were among her allies.

10Yet she was taken captive and went into exile. Her infants were dashed to pieces at every street corner. Lots were cast for her nobles, and all her great men were put in chains.