1This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.

The LORD’s Anger against Nineveh

2The LORD is a jealous God,

filled with vengeance and rage.

He takes revenge on all who oppose him

and continues to rage against his enemies!

3The LORD is slow to get angry, but his power is great,

and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.

He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm.

The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.

4At his command the oceans dry up,

and the rivers disappear.

The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade,

and the green forests of Lebanon wither.

5In his presence the mountains quake,

and the hills melt away;

the earth trembles,

and its people are destroyed.

6Who can stand before his fierce anger?

Who can survive his burning fury?

His rage blazes forth like fire,

and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.

7The LORD is good,

a strong refuge when trouble comes.

He is close to those who trust in him.

8But he will sweep away his enemiesa

in an overwhelming flood.

He will pursue his foes

into the darkness of night.

9Why are you scheming against the LORD?

He will destroy you with one blow;

he won’t need to strike twice!

10His enemies, tangled like thornbushes

and staggering like drunks,

will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.

11Who is this wicked counselor of yours

who plots evil against the LORD?

12This is what the LORD says:

“Though the Assyrians have many allies,

they will be destroyed and disappear.

O my people, I have punished you before,

but I will not punish you again.

13Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck

and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”

14And this is what the LORD says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh:

“You will have no more children to carry on your name.

I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods.

I am preparing a grave for you

because you are despicable!”

15bLook! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news!

He is bringing a message of peace.

Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah,

and fulfill all your vows,

for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again.

They will be completely destroyed!