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Nahum 1 (NET)

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¹ The oracle against Nineveh; the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: ² The LORD is a zealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and very angry. The LORD takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies. ³ The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished. He marches out in the whirlwind and the raging storm; dark storm clouds billow like dust under his feet. ⁴ He shouts a battle cry against the sea and makes it dry up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon withers. ⁵ The mountains tremble before him, the hills convulse; the earth is laid waste before him, the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste. ⁶ No one can withstand his indignation! No one can resist his fierce anger! His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire, boulders are broken up as he approaches. ⁷ The LORD is good indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him. ⁸ But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness. ⁹ Whatever you plot against the LORD, he will completely destroy! Distress will not arise a second time. ¹⁰ Surely they will be totally consumed like entangled thorn bushes, like the drink of drunkards, like very dry stubble. ¹¹ From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the LORD, a wicked military strategist. ¹² This is what the LORD says: "Even though they are powerful and what is more, even though their army is numerous nevertheless, they will be destroyed and trickle away! Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. ¹³ And now, I will break Assyria's yoke bar from your neck; I will tear apart the shackles that are on you." ¹⁴ The LORD has issued a decree against you: "Your dynasty will come to an end. I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods. I will desecrate your grave because you are accursed!" ¹⁵ Look! A herald is running on the mountains! A messenger is proclaiming deliverance: "Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah! Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God! For never again will the wicked Assyrians invade you, they have been completely destroyed."