Nahum Chapter 1
Conversational Yahveh Covenant
1 The Oracle of Nahum
The Book of the Vision of Nahum
Yahveh’s Anger Against Nineveh
2 Yahveh is an exclusive God
that avenges with anger.
He carries out vengeance on his adversaries;
he stores up anger for his enemies.
3 He doesn’t get mad quick,
but he does exert his power;
he doesn’t let the guilty go free.
He displays his power in storms and tornadoes;
clouds are dust beneath his feet.
Nah 1:1-3
4 At his command seas and rivers dry up,
Bashan and Carmel wither,
Lebanon’s blossoms wilt.
5 In his presence, mountains quake and hills melt;
earth trembles and its people perish.
Nah 1:4-5
6 Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his furious anger?
He pours out wrath like fire
and cracks rocks in pieces.
7 Yahveh is good, a fortress in times of trouble;
he knows who takes refuge in him.
8 But with an overwhelming flood
he brings his opponents to a complete end
and chases his enemies into the dark.
Nah 1:6-8
9 Whatever you’re plotting against Yahveh
he’ll put an end to;
he doesn’t need to take revenge twice.
10 His enemies, like tangled thornbushes and staggering people,
he’ll completely burn up like stubble.
11 Who is this counselor of yours
that plots against Yahveh with bad advice?
12 This is what Yahveh says,
“Though strong and numerous,
the Assyrians will perish and disappear.
Though I’ve let them punish you before,
I won’t let them do it again.
13I’ll break their yoke off your neck
and tear their shackles off your feet.”
Nah 1:9-13
14 Yahveh has issued an edict about you, Assyria:
“No offspring will carry on your name;
I’ll remove idol and image
from the temples of your gods.
I’ll get your grave ready
because you’re contemptible.”
Nah 1:14
15 Over the mountains, a messenger is coming with good news,
someone that’s announcing peace!
Celebrate your festivals, Judah; fulfill your vows;
those wicked invaders will never attack you again.