Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 An oracle concerning Nin'eveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.
1
This is a revelation from the LORD about Nineveh. This book contains the vision of Nahum from Elkosh.
2 The LORD is a jealous God and avenging, the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.
2
God does not tolerate rivals. The LORD takes revenge. The LORD takes revenge and is full of anger. The LORD takes revenge against his enemies and holds a grudge against his foes.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and of great might, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
3
The LORD is patient and has great strength. The LORD will never let the guilty go unpunished. Raging winds and storms mark his path, and clouds are the dust from his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither, the bloom of Lebanon fades.
4
He yells at the sea and makes it dry. He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither. The flowers of Lebanon wither.
5 The mountains quake before him, the hills melt; the earth is laid waste before him, the world and all that dwell therein.
5
The mountains quake because of him. The hills melt. The earth draws back in his presence. The world and all who live in it draw back as well.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him.
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Who can stand in the presence of his rage? Who can oppose his burning anger? He pours out his rage like fire and smashes the rocky cliffs.
7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
7
The LORD is good. [He is] a fortress in the day of trouble. He knows those who seek shelter in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a full end of his adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
8
He will put an end to Nineveh with a devastating flood. He will pursue his enemies with darkness.
9 What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a full end; he will not take vengeance twice on his foes.
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What do you think about the LORD? He is the one who will bring Nineveh to an end. This trouble will never happen again.
10 Like entangled thorns they are consumed, like dry stubble.
10
[The people of Nineveh will be] like tangled thorns and like people drunk on their own drink. They will be completely burned up like very dry straw.
11 Did one not come out from you, who plotted evil against the LORD, and counseled villainy?
11
From you, Nineveh, a person who plans evil against the LORD sets out. His advice is wicked.
12 Thus says the LORD, "Though they be strong and many, they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
12
This is what the LORD says: Though the people of Nineveh are physically fit and many in number, they will be cut down and die. Though I have humbled you, Judah, I will not humble you again.
13 And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds asunder."
13
But now I will break Nineveh's yoke off of you and tear its chains from you.
14 The LORD has given commandment about you: "No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the graven image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."
14
The LORD has given this command about you, Nineveh: You will no longer have descendants to carry on your name. I will remove the wooden and metal idols from the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave because you are worthless.
15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah, fulfil your vows, for never again shall the wicked come against you, he is utterly cut off.
15
There on the mountains are the feet of a messenger who announces the good news: "All is well!" Celebrate your festivals, Judah! Keep your vows! This wickedness will never pass your way again. It will be completely removed.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.