Habakkuk 1:1-5
New American Standard Bible
2How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry out to You, 'Violence!' Yet You do not save.
3Why do You make me see disaster, And make me look at destitution? Yes, devastation and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
4Therefore the Law is ignored, And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out confused.
5'Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days— You would not believe it even if you were told!
King James Version
Chapter 1
1The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.Christian Standard Bible
2How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save?
3Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
4This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
5Look at the nations and observe -- be utterly astounded! For I am doing something in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.
New Living Translation
2How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! 'Violence is everywhere!' I cry, but you do not come to save.
3Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
4The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.
English Standard Version
2O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
5“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
New International Version
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.
4Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
5Look 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.