Habakkuk 2:2-8

Living Bible

² And the Lord said to me, “Write my answer on a billboard,^[a] large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others. ³ But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow,^[b] do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

⁴ “Note this: Wicked men trust themselves alone as these Chaldeans do,^[c] and fail; but the righteous man trusts in me and lives! ⁵ What’s more, these arrogant Chaldeans are betrayed by all their wine, for it is treacherous. In their greed they have collected many nations, but like death and hell, they are never satisfied. ⁶ The time is coming when all their captives will taunt them, saying: ‘You robbers! At last justice has caught up with you! Now you will get your just deserts for your oppression and extortion!’

⁷ “Suddenly your debtors will rise up in anger and turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. ⁸ You have ruined many nations; now they will ruin you. You murderers! You have filled the countryside with lawlessness and all the cities too.