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Habakkuk 1:1-7
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 1
1 The pronouncement which Habakkuk the prophet saw:
2
How long, LORD, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry out to You, 'Violence!' Yet You do not save.
3
Why do You make me see disaster, And make me look at destitution? Yes, devastation and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
4
Therefore 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!
6
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That grim and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth, To take possession of dwelling places that are not theirs.
7
They are terrifying and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
King James Version
Chapter 1
1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why 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. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
5
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
6
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
7
They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 1
1 The pronouncement that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
2
How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save?
3
Why 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.
4
This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
5
Look 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.
6
Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter, impetuous nation that marches across the earth's open spaces to seize territories not its own.
7
They are fierce and terrifying; their views of justice and sovereignty stem from themselves.
New Living Translation
Chapter 1
1 This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision.
2
How 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.
3
Must 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.
4
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.
5
The LORD replied, 'Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.
6
I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.
7
They are notorious for their cruelty and do whatever they like.
English Standard Version
Chapter 1
1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.
2
O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
3
Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
4
So 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.
6
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.
7
They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves.
New International Version
Chapter 1
1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.
2
How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not save?
3
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4
Therefore 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.
6
I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.
7
They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.