1 An oracle on Nineveh: the book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

2 

An indignant, an avenging God is the Eternal,

the Eternal is avenging, full of wrath!

3 

In storm and tempest he takes his way,

and clouds are the dust of his feet;

4 

he curbs the sea and dries it up,

he parches all the streams;

Bashan and Karmel wither,

the bloom of Lebanon fades;

5 

mountains tremble before him,

hills dissolve;

the earth is laid waste before him,

the world and all its dwellers.

6 

Who can stand before his rage,

who can endure the heat of his anger?

His fury pours like fire,

and rocks are shattered before him.

7 

To those who wait for him the Eternal is kind,

a stronghold in the day of trouble;

he cares for those who trust in him,

8 

and rescues them when the floods overflow.

3 

The Eternal is slow to be angry and rich in love,

but never will the Eternal absolve guilt;

8 

he makes an end of rebels,

and drives his enemies into the dark;

9 

he has not to take vengeance twice upon his foes,

he makes an end of them.

Why plot against the Eternal?

2 

The Eternal takes vengeance on his foes,

and retains anger for his enemies:

10 

they are thorns cut and dried,

to be burned up like dry stubble.

11 

Did he not come from you,

he with his plot against the Eternal,

he and his villainous plan?

12 

Here is the Eternal’s promise:

“Be the great floods ever so full,

they shall ebb and vanish away;

though I have humbled you,

I will humble you no more;

13 

now I will break yon yoke from your neck,

and free you from your bonds.

14 

So this is your doom from the Eternal:

“Your name shall no more be remembered,

I sweep idol and image from the temple of your god,

I make your grave a dunghill.”

15 

Look, there are the messenger’s feet on the hills,

good news and the tidings of peace!

Hold festival, Judah, now do what you vowed--

for never again will the villain invade you,

he is finished and done with;