1The prophecy which Habakkuk, the prophet, received.

2O LORD, how long must I call for help, and You will not hear! I cry out to You of violence everywhere, but You will not save! 3Must I forever see injustice, and watch evil proliferate, causing grievance and misery? Destruction and violence are everywhere; and there are so many who raise up strife and conflict. 4Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails; for the wicked far outnumber the righteous; so that justice is perverted.

5Then the LORD replied, “Look at and watch the nations, and be utterly amazed; for I will do something in your days, that you would not believe, even if you were to be told. 6For, lo, I am raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians), that ruthless and impetuous nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, seizing dwelling places that are not theirs. 7They are feared and dreaded people; they are a law unto themselves; and do whatever they choose. 8Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk; and their cavalry gallops headlong; they shall come from afar; they shall fly like an eagle swooping to its prey. 9They shall come intent on violence; their hordes advance like a desert wind storm, and they shall gather captives like sand. 10And they shall scoff at the kings and princes, and scorn and deride every stronghold; for they shall heap dirt ramps and take them. 11Then they shall sweep past like the wind – evil people whose strength is their god.”

12Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? You shall never die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute Your judgment; and, O Mighty God, You have established them to punish. 13Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and cannot tolerate iniquity. Why, then, do You allow those that deal treacherously to prosper; and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a man that is more righteous than he? 14You have made people like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler over them. 15The wicked catch them as with a hook, they take them in their net, and gather them in their dragnet; and then they rejoice and celebrate. 16Then they offer sacrifices to their nets, and burn incense to their dragnets; because by them they prosper, and enjoy the best food. 17Will You let them slay nations unsparingly forever?