Nahum 1

1This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.H4853H5210H5612H2377H5151H512

The Lord’s Anger against Nineveh

2The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!H410H7072H3068H5358H3068H5358H1167H2534H3068H5358H6862H5201H3413The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.H3068H750H639H1419H3581H5352H5352H3068H1870H5492H8183H6051H80H72724At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither.H1605H3220H2717H3001H5104H1316H535H3760H6525H3844H5355In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed.H2022H7493H1389H4127H776H5375H6440H8398H34276Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.H5975H6440H2195H6965H2740H639H2534H5413H784H6697H54227The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.H3068H2896H4581H3117H6869H3045H26208But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.H5674H7858H6213H3617H4725H2822H7291H3419Why are you scheming against the Lord? He will destroy you with one blow; he won’t need to strike twice!H2803H3068H6213H3617H6869H6965H647110His enemies, tangled like thornbushes and staggering like drunks, will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.H5440H5518H5433H5435H398H7179H4392H300211Who is this wicked counselor of yours who plots evil against the Lord?H3318H2803H7451H3068H1100H328912This is what the Lord says. “Though the Assyrians have many allies, they will be destroyed and disappear. O my people, I have punished you before, but I will not punish you again.H559H3068H8003H7227H1494H5674H6031H603113Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”H7665H4132H5423H4147H542314And this is what the Lord says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh. “You will have no more children to carry on your name. I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods. I am preparing a grave for you because you are despicable!”H3068H6680H8034H2232H1004H430H3772H6459H4541H7760H6913H704315

Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace. Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah, and fulfill all your vows, for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again. They will be completely destroyed!H2022H7272H1319H8085H7965H3063H2287H2282H7999H5088H1100H3254H5674H3772