New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.
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A report on the problem of Nineveh, the way God gave Nahum of Elkosh to see it:
2 The 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!
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God is serious business. He won't be trifled with. He avenges his foes. He stands up against his enemies, fierce and raging.
3 The 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.
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But God doesn't lose his temper. He's powerful, but it's a patient power. Still, no one gets by with anything. Sooner or later, everyone pays. Tornadoes and hurricanes are the wake of his passage, Storm clouds are the dust he shakes off his feet.
4 At 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.
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He yells at the sea: It dries up. All the rivers run dry. The Bashan and Carmel mountains shrivel, the Lebanon orchards shrivel.
5 In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed.
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Mountains quake in their roots, hills dissolve into mud flats. Earth shakes in fear of God. The whole world's in a panic.
6 Who 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.
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Who can face such towering anger? Who can stand up to this fierce rage? His anger spills out like a river of lava, his fury shatters boulders.
7 The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
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God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help,
8 But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.
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No matter how desperate the trouble. But cozy islands of escape He wipes right off the map. No one gets away from God.
9 Why are you scheming against the LORD ? He will destroy you with one blow; he won’t need to strike twice!
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Why waste time conniving against God? He's putting an end to all such scheming. For troublemakers, no second chances.
10 His enemies, tangled like thornbushes and staggering like drunks, will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.
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Like a pile of dry brush, Soaked in oil, they'll go up in flames. A Think Tank for Lies
11 Who is this wicked counselor of yours who plots evil against the LORD ?
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Nineveh's an anthill of evil plots against God, A think tank for lies that seduce and betray.
12 This 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.
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And God has something to say about all this: "Even though you're on top of the world, With all the applause and all the votes, you'll be mowed down flat. "I've afflicted you, Judah, true, but I won't afflict you again.
13 Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”
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From now on I'm taking the yoke from your neck and splitting it up for kindling. I'm cutting you free from the ropes of your bondage."
14 And 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!”
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God's orders on Nineveh: "You're the end of the line. It's all over with Nineveh. I'm gutting your temple. Your gods and goddesses go in the trash. I'm digging your grave. It's an unmarked grave. You're nothing - no, you're less than nothing!"
15 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!
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Look! Striding across the mountains - a messenger bringing the latest good news: peace! A holiday, Judah! Celebrate! Worship and recommit to God! No more worries about this enemy. This one is history. Close the books.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.