Habakkuk 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 marvelously: 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 dwelling places
that are not theirs.
7
They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall
proceed of themselves.
8
Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than
the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their
horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to
eat.
10
And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto
them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and
take it.
11
Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing
this his power unto his god.
12
Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not
die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou
hast established them for correction.
13
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on
iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and
holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous
than he?
14
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have
no ruler over them?
15
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and
gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
16
Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag;
because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
17
Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay
the nations?