1 The oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 A jealous God and one who avenges is the LORD; the LORD avenges and is a master of fury; the LORD avenges himself on his foes and holds anger in store for his enemies.
3 The LORD is long-suffering yet mighty in strength, and the LORD will certainly not let the guilty go unpunished. In gale and tempest is his path, and clouds are the dust under his feet.
4 He scolds the sea and it dries up; he leaves every river dry; Bashan and Carmel fade, and Lebanon's blossom wilts.
5 Mountains shake because of him, and hills dissolve; the earth rises up at his presence, the world and everyone living in it.
6 When he is indignant, who can hold his ground? When his anger burns, who can withstand it? His fury pours out like fire, and the rocks are torn down before him.
7 Good is the LORD, a safe stronghold when trouble comes; he knows those who seek shelter in him.
8 But with a sweeping flood he will bring her place to an utter end, and darkness will chase his enemies.
9 Whatever you scheme against the LORD, he will finish it off completely; trouble will not rise twice.
10 Though they are matted together like thorns and soaked as with their drink, they will be burned up like dry stubble, completely.
11 Out of you has come one who schemes evil against the LORD, one who gives worthless counsel.
12 This is what the LORD says: However strong and numerous they may be, they will be mown down and be gone. I have humbled you, but I will not humble you again.
13 Now I will snap his yoke bar off you and tear your shackles apart.
14 And the LORD has issued an order about you: You will have no more offspring to carry your name. I will remove the carved idol and the cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are of no account.
15 See there on the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, announcing peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah; pay what you vowed; for the worthless one will not invade you anymore; he is wholly cut off.