Why do You make me (A)see disaster,
And make me look at destitution?
Yes, (B)devastation and violence are before me;
(C)Strife exists and contention arises.
Therefore the (D)Law [a]is ignored,
And justice [b]is never upheld.
For the wicked (E)surround the righteous;
Therefore justice comes out (F)confused.

(G)Look among the nations! Watch!
Be horrified! (H)Be frightened speechless!
For I am accomplishing (I)a work in your days—
You would not believe it even if [c]you were told!

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Footnotes

  1. Habakkuk 1:4 Or is ineffective; lit turns cold
  2. Habakkuk 1:4 Lit never goes forth
  3. Habakkuk 1:5 Lit it

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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