Habakuk 2:9

2:9 The one who builds his house by unjust gain is as good as dead. ¹ 

He does this so he can build his nest way up high

and escape the clutches of disaster. ² 

Habakuk 2:12

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.

[2:9]  ¹ tn Heb “Woe [to] the one who profits unjustly by evil unjust gain for his house.” On the term הוֹי (hoy) see the note on the word “dead” in v. 6.

[2:9]  ² tn Heb “to place his nest in the heights in order to escape from the hand of disaster.”

[2:9]  sn Here the Babylonians are compared to a bird, perhaps an eagle, that builds its nest in an inaccessible high place where predators cannot reach it.

[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.”