Back to BooksSimple English

Nahum

Predicts the fall of Nineveh as a judgment for their wickedness.

Chapter 1

Back to Chapters

1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

*The message about Nineveh. A prophecy from Nahum, a man from Elkosh.

2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

*God gets angry and wants to punish those who go against Him. He holds a grudge against His enemies and has strong dislike towards them.

3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

*The Lord is patient with anger, very strong, and won't forgive bad people. The Lord controls windstorms and storms, and the clouds are like dust compared to His greatness.

4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

*He calms the sea, making it dry with no water left, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan, Carmel, and the best part of Lebanon all become weak and withered.

5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

*Mountains shake when he's near, hills turn to mush, and the ground burns; this happens everywhere, including all living things in the world.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

*Who can withstand his anger? And who can endure his fierce wrath? His rage burns like fire, and he shatters rocks.

7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

*The LORD is kind and provides safety during difficult times for those who believe in Him.

8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

*But with a huge flood, he will destroy that place completely, and darkness will chase his opponents.

9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

*What do you think of planning against the Lord? He will put a complete stop to it: trouble won't happen again.

10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

*When they are tangled like thorns and act drunk, they will be eaten up like completely dry straw.

11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

*Someone from you thinks badly about God and gives him bad advice, they are a very bad person.

12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

*So says God: Even if they seem calm and numerous, they will be destroyed when He passes by. I won't cause you pain anymore.

13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

*For now, I will remove his chain from you and break your restraints apart.

14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

*The Lord has told us not to use your name anymore. From the temples of your gods, I will remove all carved images and melted images. I will give you a burial place because you are wicked.

15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

*Look, on the mountains, see the feet of the one bringing good news, announcing peace! Oh Judah, follow your special celebrations and keep your promises. This is because evil people won't be allowed to go through your land anymore; they are completely removed.

Back to Chapters

* work in progress, there will be mistakes