Habakuk 2:10-12

2:10 Your schemes will bring shame to your house.

Because you destroyed many nations, you will self-destruct. ¹ 

2:11 For the stones in the walls will cry out,

and the wooden rafters will answer back. ² 

2:12 The one who builds a city by bloodshed is as good as dead ³  –

he who starts ⁴  a town by unjust deeds.

[2:10]  ¹ tn Heb “you planned shame for your house, cutting off many nations, and sinning [against] your life.”

[2:11]  ² sn The house mentioned in vv. 9-10 represents the Babylonian empire, which became great through imperialism. Here the materials of this “house” (the stones in the walls, the wooden rafters) are personified as witnesses who testify that the occupants have built the house through wealth stolen from others.

[2:12]  ³ tn On the term הוֹי (hoy) see the note on the word “dead” in v. 6.

[2:12]  ⁴ tn Or “establishes”; or “founds.”