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Why do you make me watch
    such terrible injustice?
Why do you allow violence,
lawlessness, crime, and cruelty
    to spread everywhere?
Laws cannot be enforced;
    justice is always the loser;
criminals crowd out honest people
    and twist the laws around.

The Lord Answers Habakkuk

(A) Look and be amazed
at what's happening
    among the nations!
Even if you were told,
you would never believe
    what's taking place now.

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Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate(A) wrongdoing?(B)
Destruction and violence(C) are before me;
    there is strife,(D) and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law(E) is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice(F) is perverted.(G)

The Lord’s Answer

“Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.(H)
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told.(I)

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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.

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

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.

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