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oracle concerning Ninevah. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries,
and He rages against His enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger, but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and the clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and it dries up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither,
and the blossoms of Lebanon wilt and wither.
5 The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt;
the earth heaves at His presence,
the world and all who live in it.
6 Who can withstand His indignation?
Who can endure the fierceness of His anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
even the rocks are shattered before Him.
7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in Him.
8But with an overwhelming flood
He will make an utter end of Ninevah,
and He will pursue His enemies into darkness.
9 Whatever they plot against the Lord
He will bring to a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.
10 For they will become tangled up as among thorns,
and reel like drunkards from drink;
and they will be devoured like stubble fully dry.
11 From you, O Ninevah, one has gone out
who plots evil against the Lord;
a wicked counsellor.
12 This is what the Lord says,
“Though they are at full strength and are many,
they will still be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you, O Judah,
I will afflict you no more.
13 For now I will break off his yoke from your neck
and tear away your shackles.”
14 The Lord has given the command concerning you, O Ninevah:
“You will have no more descendants to perpetuate your name.
From the temple of your gods
I will destroy the carved images and the cast idols,
and I will prepare your grave,
for you are vile.”
15 Look, there on the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good tidings,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, O Judah,
and fulfil your vows.
For never again will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely wiped out.