1The prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite.

2The LORD is a jealous, and an avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance, and is filled with wrath; the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger, but great in power, and He will not at all acquit or leave the wicked unpunished; the LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. 4He rebukes the sea, and dries it up; and makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan, Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languish and wither. 5The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt, and at His presence, the earth trembles; yes, the world, and all who dwell in it. 6Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks crumble to dust before Him. 7The LORD is good, a refuge in the day of trouble; and He knows and cares for those who trust in Him. 8But with an overflowing flood, He will make an utter end of Nineveh, and He will pursue His enemies into the realm of darkness. 9Whatever they plot against the LORD, He will bring to an utter and complete end. He will destroy with a single blow; He will not need to strike twice! 10They will be entangled among the thorns, and stagger like drunkards, they shall be consumed like fully dry stubble.

11There is one that has come out of you, Nineveh, that imagines evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor who makes evil plans. 12Thus says the LORD: “Though they (the Assyrians) are numerous, with many allies, yet they shall be destroyed. And although I have afflicted you, My people of Judah, I will afflict you no more. 13For now I will break his (the Assyrians’) yoke from off you, and will burst apart your shackles of Assyrian oppression. 14The LORD has given a command concerning you, Nineveh, that you will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the idols and carved images in the temples of your gods.”

15Look, there on the mountains (surrounding Jerusalem), the feet of him who brings good news (of Ninevah’s destruction), that proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your solemn festivals, fulfill your vows; for the wicked shall not invade you; he will be utterly destroyed.