The Lord’s Judgment on Nineveh and Comfort for Judah
Nahum 1:1-15
1The oracle of Nineveh. The scroll of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.2A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; the LORD takes vengeance and is master of rage; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps watch on his enemies.3The LORD is slow to anger and great in strength, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty; his way is in whirlwind and storm, and cloud is the dust of his feet.4He rebukes the sea and dries it up, and all the rivers he dries up; Bashan and Carmel weaken, and the flower of Lebanon weakens.5The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt; the earth heaves at his presence, and the world and all who dwell in it.6Before his indignation who can stand, and who can rise in the burning anger of his face? His rage is poured out like fire, and the rocks are torn down before him.7Good is the LORD for a stronghold in the day of distress, and he knows those who seek refuge in him.8And with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of her place, and his enemies he will pursue with darkness.9What do you devise against the LORD? He is making a complete end; distress will not arise a second time.10For though they are entangled like thorns and soaked like liquor, they are consumed like dry stubble, fully.11From you has come forth one who devises distress against the LORD, a counselor of Belial.12Thus says the LORD: Though they are complete and so many, and though they are sheared and pass away, I will afflict you no longer.13And now I will break his yoke off you, and your bonds I will tear.14The LORD has commanded concerning you: Your name shall no longer be sown; from the house of your God I will cut off idol and cast image; I will set your grave, for you are lightly esteemed.15Behold, upon the mountains are the feet of the one who bears tidings, who proclaims peace. Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows; for the worthless one shall never again pass through you; he is completely cut off.