Habakkuk 1:3-4
New International Version
Habakkuk 1:3-4
English Standard Version
3 (A)Why do you make me see iniquity,
and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction (B)and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
4 (C)So the law is paralyzed,
and justice never goes forth.
(D)For the wicked surround the righteous;
so justice goes forth perverted.
Habakkuk 1:3-4
New American Standard Bible
3 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.
4 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.
Footnotes
- Habakkuk 1:4 Or is ineffective; lit turns cold
- Habakkuk 1:4 Lit never goes forth
Habakkuk 1:3-4
The Message
Justice Is a Joke
1 1-4 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it:
God, how long do I have to cry out for help
before you listen?
How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!”
before you come to the rescue?
Why do you force me to look at evil,
stare trouble in the face day after day?
Anarchy and violence break out,
quarrels and fights all over the place.
Law and order fall to pieces.
Justice is a joke.
The wicked have the righteous hamstrung
and stand justice on its head.
Habakkuk 1:3-4
King James Version
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.
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