1:2 The Lord is a zealous 1 and avenging 2 God;
the Lord is avenging and very angry. 3
The Lord takes vengeance 4 against his foes;
he sustains his rage 5 against his enemies.
1:3 The Lord is slow to anger 6 but great in power; 7
the Lord will certainly not 8 allow the wicked 9 to go unpunished.
He marches out 10 in the whirlwind and the raging storm;
dark storm clouds billow like dust 11 under his feet. 12
1:4 He shouts a battle cry 13 against the sea 14 and makes it dry up; 15
he makes all the rivers 16 run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither; 17
the blossom of Lebanon withers.
1:5 The mountains tremble before him, 18
the hills convulse; 19
the earth is laid waste 20 before him,
the world and all its inhabitants 21 are laid waste. 22
1:6 No one can withstand 23 his indignation! 24
No one can resist 25 his fierce anger! 26
His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire,
boulders are broken up 27 as he approaches. 28
1:7 The Lord is good 29 –
indeed, 30 he is a fortress 31 in time of distress, 32
and he protects 33 those who seek refuge 34 in him.
1:8 But with an overwhelming flood 35
he will make a complete end of Nineveh; 36
he will drive 37 his enemies into darkness.
1:9 Whatever 38 you plot 39 against the Lord, he will completely destroy! 40
Distress 41 will not arise 42 a second time.
1:10 Surely they will be totally consumed 43
like 44 entangled thorn bushes, 45
like the drink of drunkards, 46
like very 47 dry stubble.
1:11 From you, O Nineveh, 48 one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord,
a wicked military strategist. 49
1:12 This is what the Lord says: 50
“Even though 51 they are powerful 52 –
and what is more, 53 even though their army is numerous 54 –
nevertheless, 55 they will be destroyed 56 and trickle away! 57
Although I afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more. 58
1:13 And now, 59 I will break Assyria’s 60 yoke bar 61 from your neck; 62
I will tear apart the shackles 63 that are on you.” 64
1:14 The Lord has issued a decree against you: 65
“Your dynasty will come to an end. 66
I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods.
I will desecrate 67 your grave – because you are accursed!” 68