The Burden against Nineveh
(Jonah 1:1–3)

1The burden of Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

2A God jealous and avenging is YHWH;

avenging is YHWH and owner of fury;

avenging is YHWH on His adversaries,

and He is watching for His enemies.

3YHWH is slow to anger

and great in power;

and YHWH does not entirely acquit.

In the whirlwind and in the storm is His way,

and the clouds are the dust of His feet.

4He rebukes the sea and makes it dry,

and all the rivers He dries up;

Bashan and Carmel wither;

the flower of Lebanon has withered.

5The mountains quake before Him,

and the hills melt,

and the earth lifts up before His face,

and the world and all those dwelling in it.

6Before the face of His indignation, who can stand?

And who can stand up in the burning of His anger?

His fury is poured out like the fire,

and the rocks are torn down by Him.

7YHWH is good

as a stronghold in the day of distress,

and He knows those seeking refuge in Him.

8And with an overflowing flood,

He will make a complete end of her place,†

and His enemies will pursue darkness.

9What are you⁺ plotting against YHWH?

He will make a complete end;

distress will not rise up a second time.

10For as with thorns, they will be entangled,

and like their drink becoming drunk,

they are consumed like stubble fully dry.

11From you came forth

one devising evil plots against YHWH,

a counselor of wickedness.

12Thus says YHWH:

“Though they are full and likewise numerous,

so will they be cut down and will pass away.

And I have afflicted you,

I will afflict you no more.

13And now I will break off his yoke from upon you,

and your bonds I will tear away.”

14And YHWH has given a command concerning you:

“No longer

will be sown forth of your name;

from the house of your gods I will cut off

the carved image and the molten image;

I will dig your grave,

for you are of little account.”

15Behold, on the mountains,

the feet of one bringing good news,

announcing peace.

Celebrate, O Judah, your feasts;

fulfill your vows;

for the worthless one will continue no more to pass through you;

all of him has been cut off!