New International Version | New International Version |
1The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. | 1The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. |
2How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? | 2How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? |
3Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. | 3Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. |
4Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. | 4Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. |
5"Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. | 5"Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. |
6I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. | 6I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. |
7They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. | 7They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. |
8Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; | 8Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; |
9they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. | 9they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. |
10They mock kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them. | 10They mock kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them. |
11Then they sweep past like the wind and go on-- guilty people, whose own strength is their god." | 11Then they sweep past like the wind and go on-- guilty people, whose own strength is their god." |
12LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. | 12LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. |
13Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? | 13Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? |
14You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. | 14You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. |
15The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. | 15The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. |
16Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. | 16Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. |
17Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy? | 17Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy? |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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