1 A burden {massa: prophetic pronouncement} about Nineveh—this is the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite {elqoshi: native of Elkosh}.
2 God {El, Jealous Defender} is jealous and avenging; the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Avenger} is an avenger and Master of Wrath. He takes vengeance on His adversaries and reserves His wrath for His enemies.
3 The LORD {YHWH, Patient Judge} is slow to anger {appayim: idiom for wrath} and great in power, and He will certainly not acquit the guilty. His course lies in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 He {YHWH, Sovereign Rebuker} rebukes the sea {yam: vast waters} so that it becomes dry; He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
5 The mountains quake before Him {YHWH, Almighty Judge}; the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence {pippanaw: facing His majesty}; the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before His {YHWH, Judge} indignation {zaʿamo: intense wrath}? Who can endure in the burning of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are shattered by Him.
7 The LORD {YHWH, Refuge Giver} is good, a strong refuge {maoz: place of safety} in a day of distress; and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
8 But with an overwhelming flood He {YHWH, Judge and Avenger} will make a complete end of her place {mekomah: Nineveh’s domain}, and He will pursue His enemies into darkness.
9 What are you devising against the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}? He will bring it to a complete end; affliction {tsarah: severe distress} will not rise again a second time.
10 For even though they are entangled as thorns and as if drunk {sav’am: drinking to excess} with their drinking, they are consumed like thoroughly dry stubble {kash: dry plant stems}.
11 From you has come one who plots evil against the LORD {YHWH, Object of Hostility}, a worthless counselor {beli-yaal: morally corrupt adviser}.
12 Thus says the LORD {YHWH, Decisive Judge}: “Even if they are at peace {shlemim: undisturbed}, and even if they are many, yet they will be cut down and will pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.”
13 And now I {YHWH, Liberating Sovereign} will break his yoke {moteh: bar of oppression} from upon you, and I will tear apart your bonds.
14 And the LORD {YHWH, Supreme Judge} has issued an order concerning you: your name will not be sown any more; from the house of your gods {eloheikha: idol deities} I will cut off the carved image and the molten image; I will fashion your grave, for you are vile.
15 Look, on the mountains are the feet of one bringing good news, proclaiming peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah {Yehudah: southern kingdom}; fulfill your vows. For the wicked {beli-yaal: worthless entity} will not pass through you again; he is completely cut off.