1:1 The following is the message 1 which God revealed to Habakkuk the prophet: 2
1:2 How long, Lord, must I cry for help?
But you do not listen!
I call out to you, “Violence!”
But you do not intervene! 3
1:3 Why do you force me to witness injustice? 4
Why do you put up with wrongdoing? 5
Destruction and violence confront 6 me;
conflict is present and one must endure strife. 7
1:4 For this reason the law lacks power, 8
and justice is never carried out. 9
Indeed, 10 the wicked intimidate 11 the innocent. 12
For this reason justice is perverted. 13
1:5 “Look at the nations and pay attention! 14
You will be shocked and amazed! 15
For I will do something in your lifetime 16
that you will not believe even though you are forewarned. 17
1:6 Look, I am about to empower 18 the Babylonians,
that ruthless 19 and greedy 20 nation.
They sweep across the surface 21 of the earth,
seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.
1:7 They are frightening and terrifying;
they decide for themselves what is right. 22
1:8 Their horses are faster than leopards
and more alert 23 than wolves in the desert. 24
Their horses 25 gallop, 26
their horses come a great distance;
like a vulture 27 they swoop down quickly to devour their prey. 28
1:9 All of them intend 29 to do violence;
every face is determined. 30
They take prisoners as easily as one scoops up sand. 31
1:10 They mock kings
and laugh at rulers.
They laugh at every fortified city;
they build siege ramps 32 and capture them.
1:11 They sweep by like the wind and pass on. 33
But the one who considers himself a god will be held guilty.” 34
1:12 Lord, you have been active from ancient times; 35
my sovereign God, 36 you are immortal. 37
Lord, you have made them 38 your instrument of judgment. 39
Protector, 40 you have appointed them as your instrument of punishment. 41
1:13 You are too just 42 to tolerate 43 evil;
you are unable to condone 44 wrongdoing.
So why do you put up with such treacherous people? 45
Why do you say nothing when the wicked devour 46 those more righteous than they are? 47