1:6 Look, I am about to empower 1 the Babylonians,
that ruthless 2 and greedy 3 nation.
They sweep across the surface 4 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. 5
1:8 Their horses are faster than leopards
and more alert 6 than wolves in the desert. 7
Their horses 8 gallop, 9
their horses come a great distance;
like a vulture 10 they swoop down quickly to devour their prey. 11
1:9 All of them intend 12 to do violence;
every face is determined. 13
They take prisoners as easily as one scoops up sand. 14
1:10 They mock kings
and laugh at rulers.
They laugh at every fortified city;
they build siege ramps 15 and capture them.
1:11 They sweep by like the wind and pass on. 16
But the one who considers himself a god will be held guilty.” 17
1:12 Lord, you have been active from ancient times; 18
my sovereign God, 19 you are immortal. 20
Lord, you have made them 21 your instrument of judgment. 22
Protector, 23 you have appointed them as your instrument of punishment. 24
1:13 You are too just 25 to tolerate 26 evil;
you are unable to condone 27 wrongdoing.
So why do you put up with such treacherous people? 28
Why do you say nothing when the wicked devour 29 those more righteous than they are? 30