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)

Read full chapter

(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.
(C)So the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never goes forth.
(D)For the wicked surround the righteous;
    so justice goes forth perverted.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see [a]trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the (A)wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Habakkuk 1:3 Or toil

Justice Is a Joke

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.

Read full chapter