Habakuk 1:4

1:4 For this reason the law lacks power, ¹ 

and justice is never carried out. ² 

Indeed, ³  the wicked intimidate ⁴  the innocent. ⁵ 

For this reason justice is perverted. ⁶ 

Habakuk 2:1

2:1 I will stand at my watch post;

I will remain stationed on the city wall. ⁷ 

I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me

and can know ⁸  how I should answer

when he counters my argument. ⁹ 

Habakuk 2:8

2:8 Because you robbed many countries, ¹⁰ 

all who are left among the nations ¹¹  will rob you.

You have shed human blood

and committed violent acts against lands, cities, ¹²  and those who live in them.

Habakuk 3:8

3:8 Is the Lord mad at the rivers?

Are you angry with the rivers?

Are you enraged at the sea? ¹³ 

Is this why ¹⁴  you climb into your horse-drawn chariots, ¹⁵ 

your victorious chariots? ¹⁶ 

[1:4]  ¹ tn Heb “the law is numb,” i.e., like a hand that has “fallen asleep” (see Ps 77:2). Cf. NAB “is benumbed”; NIV “is paralyzed.”

[1:4]  ² tn Heb “never goes out.”

[1:4]  ³ tn Or “for.”

[1:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “surround” (so NASB, NRSV).

[1:4]  ⁵ tn Or “righteous” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[1:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “comes out crooked.”

[2:1]  ⁷ sn Habakkuk compares himself to a watchman stationed on the city wall who keeps his eyes open for approaching messengers or danger.

[2:1]  ⁸ tn The word “know” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

[2:1]  ⁹ tn Heb “concerning my correction [or, “reproof”].”

[2:8]  ¹⁰ tn Or “nations.”

[2:8]  ¹¹ tn Or “peoples.”

[2:8]  ¹² tn Heb “because of the shed blood of humankind and violence against land, city.” The singular forms אֶרֶץ (’erets, “land”) and קִרְיָה (qiryah, “city”) are collective, referring to all the lands and cities terrorized by the Babylonians.

[3:8]  ¹³ sn The following context suggests these questions should be answered, “Yes.” The rivers and the sea, symbolizing here the hostile nations (v. 12), are objects of the Lord’s anger (vv. 10, 15).

[3:8]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “so that.” Here כִּי (ki) is resultative. See the note on the phrase “make it” in 2:18.

[3:8]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “you mount your horses.” As the next line makes clear, the Lord is pictured here as a charioteer, not a cavalryman. Note NRSV here, “when you drove your horses, // your chariots to victory.”

[3:8]  ¹⁶ tn Or “chariots of deliverance.”