The Vengeance of God

1 This is a prophecy about Ninveh, the book of the vision of Nachum the Elkoshi:

2 ADONAI is a jealous and vengeful God. ADONAI avenges; he knows how to be angry. ADONAI takes vengeance on his foes and stores up wrath for his enemies.

The Power of God

3 ADONAI is slow to anger, but great in power; and he does not leave the guilty unpunished. ADONAI’s path is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He rebukes the sea and leaves it dry, he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and the Karmel languish; the flower of the L’vanon withers.

5 The mountains quake before him, and the hills dissolve; the earth collapses in his presence, the world and everyone living in it.

6 Who can withstand his fury? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, the rocks broken to pieces before him.

7 ADONAI is good, a stronghold in time of trouble; he takes care of those who take refuge in him.

8 But with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of [Ninveh’s] place, and darkness will pursue his enemies.

Destruction of Nineveh

9 What are you planning against ADONAI? He is making an end [of it]; trouble will not arise a second time.

10 For like men drunk with liquor, they will be burned up like tangled thorns, like straw completely dry.

11 Out of you, [Ninveh,] he came, one who plots evil against ADONAI, who counsels wickedness.

12 Here is what ADONAI says: “Though they be many and strong, they will be cut down, they will pass; and though I have made you suffer, I will make you suffer no more.

13 Now I will break his yoke from your necks and snap the chains that bind you.

14 ADONAI gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless.”