Nahum 1

1 ‎(1) A pronouncement on Nineveh: The Book of the Prophecy of Nahum the Elkoshite. ‎(2) The ETERNAL is a passionate, avenging God;

GOD is vengeful and fierce in wrath.

GOD takes vengeance on opponents,

And rages against foes. ‎(3) GOD is slow to anger and of great forbearance,

But GOD does not remit all punishment.

[God] travels in whirlwind and storm,

With clouds the dust on divine feet. ‎(4) [God] rebukes the sea and dries it up,

And makes all rivers fail;

Bashan and Carmel languish,

And the blossoms of Lebanon wither. ‎(5) The mountains quake because of [God],

And the hills melt.

The earth heaves before [God],

The world and all that dwell therein. ‎(6) Who can stand before God’s wrath?

Who can resist such fury?

God’s anger pours out like fire,

And rocks are shattered as a result. ‎(7) GOD is good to [those who have hope],

And is a haven on a day of distress—

Being mindful of those seeking refuge. ‎(8) And with a sweeping flood

[God] makes an end of her place,

And chases enemies into the darkness. ‎(9) Why will you plot against GOD ?

Utter destruction is the outcome:

No adversary opposes [God] twice! ‎(10) For like those besotted with drink,

They are burned up like tangled thorns,

Like straw that is thoroughly dried. ‎(11) The base plotter

Who designed evil against GOD

Has left you. ‎(12) Thus said GOD:

“Even as those days were full and many,

Even so are they over and gone;

As surely as I afflicted you,

I will afflict you no more. ‎(13) And now

I will break off his yoke bar from you

And burst your cords apart.” ‎(14) GOD has commanded concerning him:

No posterity shall continue your name.

I will do away with

The carved and graven images

In the temples of your gods;

I will make your grave

Accord with your worthlessness.

Commentaries

Version: THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition

License: CC-BY-NC