2 Yahweh is a jealous[fn] God who avenges.

≈Yahweh avenges and is full of anger.

He takes vengeance on his opponents,

≈and he continues to be angry with his enemies.

3 Yahweh is slow to get angry, but very powerful.

He certainly won’t allow guilty people to go unpunished.

He walks among whirlwinds and storms,

≈and clouds are like dust stirred up by his feet.

4 He scolds the ocean and makes it sand.

≈He dries up all the rivers.

Bashan and Karmel wither up.

≈He makes the flowers wilt in Lebanon.

5 The mountains shake when he appears,

≈and the hills melt.

The ground heaves at his presence—

actually the entire world and all its residents.

6 What can withstand his indignation?

≈Who can resist his fierce anger?

His anger is poured out like fire,

and rocks shatter in front of him.

7 Yahweh is good at sheltering us when trouble comes.

≈He recognises those go to him for protection.

8 He’ll completely destroy his opponents with a rushing flood.

≈He will chase his enemies into the darkness.

9 Whatever is plotted against Yahweh,

he’ll completely destroy it.

≈Trouble won’t return a second time.

10 They’ll get tangled up as if in thorns,

and they’ll walk like drunks.

They’ll be burnt up completely like dry stubble.

11 Someone in Nineveh made a decision,

to plot evil against Yahweh.

Someone with wicked plans.

12 This is what Yahweh says:

Even though the Assyrians are numerous and well equipped.

they’ll be destroyed anyway and will be no more.

Although I’ve afflicted you my people,

I won’t afflict you any more.

13 I’ll free your neck from their harness.

≈I’ll snap their chains that are holding you.

14 Yahweh has given instructions about you, Nineveh.

You’ll have no more descendants to carry on your name.

I’ll destroy your idols and images in your temples.

I’ll dig your grave because you’re despised.

15 My people, look, a messenger is running across the hills.[ref]

He’ll be bringing good news—announcing peace.

So celebrate your festivals Yehudah, and keep your promises,

because that wicked country won’t invade you again—it’ll be destroyed.