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God Will Punish Assyria

This is the message for the city of Nineveh.[a] This is the vision of Nahum, who was from the town of Elkosh.

The Lord Is Angry with Nineveh

The Lord is a jealous God who gives punishment.
    The Lord punishes wicked people and is filled with anger.
The Lord punishes those who are against him.
    He stays angry with his enemies.
The Lord does not become angry quickly.
    His power is great.
    The Lord will not let the guilty go unpunished.
Where the Lord goes, whirlwinds and storms show his power.
    The clouds are the dust that his feet kick up.
The Lord speaks to the sea and makes it dry.
    He dries up all the rivers.
The areas of Bashan and Carmel dry up.
    And the flowers of Lebanon die.
He shakes the mountains
    and makes the hills melt away.
The earth trembles when he comes.
    The world and all who live in it shake with fear.
No one can stay alive when the Lord is angry with him.
    No one can survive his strong anger.
His anger is poured out like fire.
    He smashes rocks that are in his path.

The Lord is good.
    He gives protection in times of trouble.
    He knows who trusts in him.
But he will completely destroy the city of Nineveh.
    An army will come like a rushing flood.
    The Lord will chase his enemies until he kills them.

The Lord will completely destroy
    the plans that are made against him.
    Trouble will not come a second time.
10 Those people will be like tangled thorns
    or like people drunk from their wine.
    They will be destroyed quickly like dry weeds.
11 Someone has come from Nineveh.
    He makes evil plans against the Lord.
    And he gives wicked advice.

12 This is what the Lord says:

“Assyria is strong and has many people.
    But it will be defeated and brought to an end.
Judah, I have punished you, my people.
    But I will punish you no more.
13 Now I will free you from their control.
    And I will tear away the chains with which they hold you.”

14 The Lord has given you this command, Nineveh:
    “You will not have descendants to carry on your name.
I will destroy the idols and metal images
    that are in the temple of your gods.
I will dig your grave
    because you are wicked.”

15 Look, there on the hills,
    someone is bringing good news!
    He is announcing peace!
Celebrate your feasts, people of Judah.
    And do what you promised to God.
The wicked will not attack you again.
    They have been completely destroyed.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Nineveh The capital city of the country of Assyria. Nahum uses Nineveh to stand for all of Assyria.

A prophecy(A) concerning Nineveh.(B) The book of the vision(C) of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

The Lord is a jealous(D) and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance(E) and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.(F)
The Lord is slow to anger(G) but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.(H)
His way is in the whirlwind(I) and the storm,(J)
    and clouds(K) are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes(L) the sea and dries it up;(M)
    he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel(N) wither
    and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
The mountains quake(O) before him
    and the hills melt away.(P)
The earth trembles(Q) at his presence,
    the world and all who live in it.(R)
Who can withstand(S) his indignation?
    Who can endure(T) his fierce anger?(U)
His wrath is poured out like fire;(V)
    the rocks are shattered(W) before him.

The Lord is good,(X)
    a refuge in times of trouble.(Y)
He cares for(Z) those who trust in him,(AA)
    but with an overwhelming flood(AB)
he will make an end of Nineveh;
    he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Whatever they plot(AC) against the Lord
    he will bring[a] to an end;
    trouble will not come a second time.
10 They will be entangled among thorns(AD)
    and drunk(AE) from their wine;
    they will be consumed like dry stubble.[b](AF)
11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth
    who plots evil against the Lord
    and devises wicked plans.

12 This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous,
    they will be destroyed(AG) and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
    I will afflict you no more.(AH)
13 Now I will break their yoke(AI) from your neck
    and tear your shackles away.”(AJ)

14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
    “You will have no descendants to bear your name.(AK)
I will destroy the images(AL) and idols
    that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,(AM)
    for you are vile.”

15 Look, there on the mountains,
    the feet of one who brings good news,(AN)
    who proclaims peace!(AO)
Celebrate your festivals,(AP) Judah,
    and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;(AQ)
    they will be completely destroyed.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Nahum 1:9 Or What do you foes plot against the Lord? / He will bring it
  2. Nahum 1:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  3. Nahum 1:15 In Hebrew texts this verse (1:15) is numbered 2:1.