1 This is a message about Nineveh, the account of a vision seen by Nahum, who was from Elkosh.
The Lord's Anger against Nineveh
2 The Lord God tolerates no rivals;
he punishes those who oppose him.
In his anger he pays them back.
3 The Lord does not easily become angry,
but he is powerful
and never lets the guilty go unpunished.
Where the Lord walks, storms arise;
the clouds are the dust raised by his feet!
4 He commands the sea, and it dries up!
He makes the rivers go dry.
The fields of Bashan wither,
Mount Carmel turns brown,
and the flowers of Lebanon fade.
5 Mountains quake in the presence of the Lord;
hills melt before him.
The earth shakes when the Lord appears;
the world and all its people tremble.
6 When he is angry, who can survive?
Who can survive his terrible fury?
He pours out his flaming anger;
rocks crumble to dust before him.
7 The Lord is good;
he protects his people in times of trouble;
he takes care of those who turn to him.
8 Like a great rushing flood he completely destroys his enemies;
he sends to their death those who oppose him.
9 What are you plotting against the Lord?
He will destroy you.
No one opposes him more than once.
10 Like tangled thorns and dry straw
you drunkards will be burned up!
11 From you, Nineveh, there came someone full of wicked schemes, who plotted against the Lord. 12 This is what the Lord says to his people Israel: “Even though the Assyrians are strong and numerous, they will be destroyed and disappear. My people, I made you suffer, but I will not do it again. 13 I will now end Assyria's power over you and break the chains that bind you.”
14 This is what the Lord has decreed about the Assyrians: “They will have no descendants to carry on their name. I will destroy the idols that are in the temples of their gods. I am preparing a grave for the Assyrians—they don't deserve to live!”
15 Look, a messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is on his way to announce the victory! People of Judah, celebrate your festivals and give God what you solemnly promised him. The wicked will never invade your land again. They have been totally destroyed!
V. 1-8: cf. (De 32:35, 39-43. Ex 34:6, 7.) Ps 97:1-9.
1 Oracle sur Ninive. Livre de la prophétie de Nahum, d’Elkosch.
2 L’Éternel est un Dieu jaloux, il se venge;
L’Éternel se venge, il est plein de fureur;
L’Éternel se venge de ses adversaires,
Il garde rancune à ses ennemis.
3 L’Éternel est lent à la colère, il est grand par sa force;
Il ne laisse pas impuni.
L’Éternel marche dans la tempête, dans le tourbillon;
Les nuées sont la poussière de ses pieds.
4 Il menace la mer et la dessèche,
Il fait tarir tous les fleuves;
Le Basan et le Carmel languissent,
La fleur du Liban se flétrit.
5 Les montagnes s’ébranlent devant lui,
Et les collines se fondent;
La terre se soulève devant sa face,
Le monde et tous ses habitants.
6 Qui résistera devant sa fureur?
Qui tiendra contre son ardente colère?
Sa fureur se répand comme le feu,
Et les rochers se brisent devant lui.
7 L’Éternel est bon,
Il est un refuge au jour de la détresse;
Il connaît ceux qui se confient en lui.
8 Mais avec des flots qui déborderont
Il détruira la ville,
Et il poursuivra ses ennemis jusque dans les ténèbres.
V. 9-14: cf. És 10:5, etc.; Joë 36Joë 37.9 Que méditez-vous contre l’Éternel?
C’est lui qui détruit.
La détresse ne paraîtra pas deux fois.
10 Car entrelacés comme des épines,
Et comme ivres de leur vin,
Ils seront consumés
Comme la paille sèche, entièrement.
11 De toi est sorti
Celui qui méditait le mal contre l’Éternel,
Celui qui avait de méchants desseins.
12 Ainsi parle l’Éternel: Quoique intacts et nombreux,
Ils seront moissonnés et disparaîtront.
Je veux t’humilier,
Pour ne plus avoir à t’humilier…
13 Je briserai maintenant son joug de dessus toi,
Et je romprai tes liens…
14 Voici ce qu’a ordonné sur toi l’Éternel:
Tu n’auras plus de descendants qui portent ton nom;
J’enlèverai de la maison de ton dieu les images taillées ou en fonte;
Je préparerai ton sépulcre, car tu es trop léger.
