The Burden against Nineveh (Jonah 1:1–3)
1 UST I am Nahum, from{ the village of} Elkosh. This is a message about{ the city of} Nineveh, a message{ that Yahweh gave me} in a vision. BSB BSB: This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
2 UST Yahweh our God tolerates no rival gods to himself. Yahweh is very angry with those who worship other gods, and he punishes them. He continues to be angry with those who oppose him. BSB BSB: The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
3 UST Yahweh does not quickly become angry; but he is very powerful, and he will certainly punish{ those who have done evil things}. Wherever Yahweh walks, there are whirlwinds and storms, and the clouds are like dust around his feet. BSB BSB: The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
4 UST When he commands oceans and rivers to become dry, they dry up. He causes the grass to wither in the fields in the region of Bashan and on the slopes of Mount Carmel, and he causes the flowers in Lebanon to fade. BSB BSB: He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
5 UST When he appears, it is as though the mountains quake and the hills melt; the earth quakes before him, and all the people on the earth{ tremble}. BSB BSB: The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers.
6 UST There is no one who can resist him when he becomes extremely angry; there is no one who can survive when Yahweh is angry with him. When he is very angry, it is as though fire blazes out from him; it is as though mountains explode into pieces before him. BSB BSB: Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.
7 UST Yahweh is good; he protects us, his people, when we experience troubles. He takes care of those who trust in him. BSB BSB: The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
8 UST But he will completely destroy Nineveh with an overwhelming flood. Wherever his enemies go, terrible things will happen to them. BSB BSB: But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.
9 UST So it is useless for you people of Nineveh to plot against Yahweh. He will destroy your plan quickly; he will not need to strike you two times. BSB BSB: Whatever you plot against the LORD, He will bring to an end. Affliction will not rise up a second time.
10 UST The Ninevites will be like tangled thorn- bushes or dry stubble{ in a fire}; they will be like the wine in their own cups. All of those things disappear quickly and completely. BSB BSB: For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard—like stubble that is fully dry.
11 UST Yes, in the city of Nineveh there are people who advise and plan evil deeds against Yahweh. BSB BSB: From you, O Nineveh, comes forth a plotter of evil against the LORD, a counselor of wickedness.
12 UST But this is what Yahweh says{ to the people of Judah}:“Although the nation of Assyria has very many people and{ its army} is very powerful, Nevertheless I will shear them{ like helpless sheep} and destroy those who plan evil deeds. Although I have punished you, I will not punish you again. BSB BSB: This is what the LORD says: “Though they are allied and numerous, yet they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no longer.
13 UST Now I will cause the people of Assyria to no longer enslave you; it will be as though I will break off the chains on your hands and feet.” BSB BSB: For I will now break their yoke from your neck and tear away your shackles.”
14 UST And this is what Yahweh also declares about the people of Nineveh:“The people of Nineveh will not have any descendants who will continue to have their family names. And I will destroy all the wooden and metal idols that are in their temples. I will cause them to be killed and sent to their graves, because they are vile!” BSB BSB: The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will cut off the carved image and cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”
15 UST You people of Judah, look to the mountains! A messenger will come from there, and he will bring good news to you. He will declare that you will now have peace. So keep your festivals, and do what you solemnly promised Yahweh that you would do. You can do this because your wicked enemies will not invade your country again, because I will destroy them completely. BSB BSB: Look to the mountains—the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked will never again march through you; they will be utterly cut off.