¹The concern over Nineveh.This is the scroll of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:²‘Because He’s very zealous, Jehovah won’t fail to punish. In His rage, Jehovah will punish All those who are standing against Him… He will destroy all those who oppose Him.³‘Jehovah is patient and mighty, And the [guilty], [He] won’t acquit. For His ways are rumbling and final.⁴‘There are clouds of dust under His feet, And He can squeeze the seas and cause them to dry. He also desolates rivers, Which is how He weakened BaShan and CarMel, And it’s why Lebanon’s blossoms have failed.⁵‘Before Him, the mountains have shaken, And [before Him], the hills have all trembled. They rise at His presence throughout the whole earth, As do all [the peoples] who dwell there.⁶‘Before His rage, who can stand… Yes, who can withstand His anger? For, sovereign rulers melt at His rage, And even the rocks split apart.⁷‘Yet He’s kind to those who [put faith] in Him In their day of affliction… And He knows all those who respect Him.⁸‘Like a downpour, He wipes away and consumes All those who’ve been roused [to oppose Him], And He chases His enemies into the dark.⁹‘So against Jehovah, what plans can you make, For He can wipe you away. But He won’t punish you twice, Or punish you for the same [errors].¹⁰‘His enemy’s [cities], He will lay bare To their very foundations. Like twisted yews, they’ll be burned… As though they’re very dry stubble.¹¹‘Yet, against Jehovah, you’ve made plans… Against Him, you’ve made wicked plans. ¹²So Jehovah (who rules all the waters) says this:‘I’ll send them away And they’ll not be heard from again. ¹³For I’ll lift their whips from [your backs], And I’ll remove all their shackles.’¹⁴‘It was concerning [the Assyrians], that Jehovah said this:‘Your name won’t be mentioned again; For, I’ll destroy all your idols (Those which you molded and carved), Then a time will be set for your funeral, Which will arrive very soon!¹⁵‘Look! Upon the mountains, he’s coming… The feet of the one announcing good news And the one with reports about peace!‘So in Judah, declare a holiday [feast], And you must get ready to pay all your vows, So that never again will they enter [your gates], Nor again, should they see your corruption.’

¹‘Now He’s finished [His work] and He’s consumed… This One who came and breathed in your face… This One who [brought] you affliction!‘So, watch the roads and [wrap up] your loins… Be very manly and strong! ²For Jehovah has taken away The haughtiness of Jacob’s [tribes], As well as IsraEl’s insolent ways.‘And now, He’s ready to shake off Those who’ve been shaking you, And He’ll bring their branches to ruin. ³For under Him, there are men who have weapons, And laugh at fire, because of their might.‘Their chariots have now been prepared, And their horsemen will make many wail. ⁴Their chariots will wreak havoc along all the roads, And thereafter, they’ll meet in [Assyria’s] squares.‘The sight of them is like burning lamps, And lightning [is found in their wake].⁵‘So all of [Assyria’s] mighty men Should stop and think about this… For in the daytime, they’ll flee. And as they leave, they’ll be feeble, Then between their walls, they’ll run From the troops in the lead that arrive.⁶‘Then their city gates will be opened wide, And all their great homes will be ruined… ⁷Yes, all their supports will lie bare.‘Then their [women] will appear with their servants, And as meek as doves, they’ll be led away To the flutter of their own beating hearts.⁸‘For, Nineveh is a pool amidst waters, And her men won’t resist, they’ll just flee When no one is paying attention.⁹‘So their silver and gold will be looted… There are no limits to all that they’ll take. And those looters will then be weighed down With [the city’s] most desirable things.¹⁰‘There’ll be thrusting, shaking, and tumult… Hearts will be breaking and knees will be weak… Loins will all become loose, And their faces will look like burned pots!¹¹‘So, where is this great lion’s den… Yes, where is the pasture [where she hides] her cubs… Where has the [great] lion gone? She’s gone away to be with her cubs Who ran when there was nothing to fear.¹²‘She is the same lion that once snatched away All that her cubs had required. And for her, the cubs strangled their prey, Until their den became filled with game… Their home was filled with the things she’d seized.¹³[‘And God says:]‘But look! I’m the One who’s coming against you,’‘...says Jehovah, the Almighty,‘And all of your army, I’ll burn into smoke.‘I’ll devour your lions with the broadsword, And I’ll take all the game from your land, So that none of the things you’ve accomplished Will ever be mentioned again.’

¹‘O you city of blood And of all that’s false and unrighteous:‘You’ll no longer be in charge of your game. ²For the sounds of whips, [you’ll hear], Along with the rumble of [chariot] wheels… The hot pursuits upon horses, And the dust that they’ll raise with their wheels… ³The attacks of men riding steeds… The shine of their swords and the flashing of shields.‘Great multitudes will be slaughtered; For a downfall is coming to you. Unnumbered nations will come there, And from [looting and rape], they’ll tire.⁴‘You’re a whore who once satisfied men, And in the making of potions, you took the lead. Then you sold your whoring to the nations, And your potions, you sold to their tribes.⁵‘So look… I’m the One who’s against you,’‘...says Jehovah the Almighty!‘I’ll uncover your backside, And show all the nations your shame… Other kingdoms will see your dishonor!⁶‘Because of all your uncleanness, I’ll bring what’s disgusting upon you… I’ll use you as an example.⁷‘Then, all who see you will leave you and say:‘O Nineveh, you great wretched one; Who’ll now mourn over you? And where can they search to send comfort?’⁸‘So, tune up the strings of your lyres, And prepare your potions for Amun ([Your god] who inhabits the rivers); For your walls are surrounded by water, From which you’ve ruled all the way to the sea.⁹‘Although Ethiopia and Egypt have served as your strength, They’ll [be no help] when you’re taken away… There’ll just be Libya and the Sudan That will come to your aid.¹⁰‘Your [people] will be captured and taken to exile, And your infant’s [heads] will be dashed on the walls. For your honorable things, they’ll cast lots, As your great men are tethered and bound.¹¹‘So, you’ll be provoked and get drunk, As from your enemies, you seek shelter. ¹²But what will happen to those in your forts, Is the same as what will happen to you.‘For, you’ll then be the fruit… And when they start shaking the [tree], You’ll fall into the mouths Of those who’ve come to consume you.¹³‘{Look!} Your enemies will view you as women, So they’ll burn the bars off your gates And open all doors throughout your land!¹⁴‘Then you’ll have to draw water from your rivers To rescue all of your burning forts! So, you should tread mortar and mix it with straw… Then make it stronger with bricks! ¹⁵For fire and the sword will destroy you… They’ll consume you like locusts, And by grasshoppers, you’ll be oppressed.¹⁶‘Although you once grew your trade higher Than all the stars in the skies; Grasshoppers are coming to spread [over you]… ¹⁷Small locusts will leap and consume, And cover your fences like frost. Then, as the sun rises, they’ll just hop away… And woe, because you won’t know where they’ve gone!¹⁸‘And you, O Assyria’s king; All of your shepherds have fallen asleep And all of your mighty are resting. Your people [have fled] to the mountains, And no one is searching for them. ¹⁹Thus there’ll be no one to heal your destruction, And your wounds will soon be inflamed.‘Yet, those hearing this message about you Are all now clapping their hands… For to them, you’ve done evil things.’