² How long,^(A) Lord, must I call for help^(B)
and you do not listen
or cry out to you about violence^(C)
and you do not save?
³ Why do you force me to look at injustice?^(D)
Why do you tolerate^[a] wrongdoing?
Oppression and violence are right in front of me.
Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
⁴ This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict^(E) the righteous;
therefore, justice^(F) comes out perverted.

⁵ Look at the nations^[b](G) and observe^(H)—
be utterly astounded!^(I)
For I am doing something in your days
that you will not believe^(J)
when you hear about it.^(K)
6 Look! I am raising up^(L) the Chaldeans,^[c]
that bitter,^(M) impetuous nation
that marches across the earth’s open spaces
to seize territories not its own.

¹² Are you not from eternity, Lord my God?^(A)
My Holy One,^(B) you^[a] will not die.
Lord, you appointed them to execute judgment;
my Rock,^(C) you destined them to punish us.
¹³ Your eyes^(D) are too pure^(E) to look on evil,
and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous?^(F)
Why are you silent
while one^[b] who is wicked swallows up
one^[c] who is more righteous than himself?

Write down this vision;^(A)
clearly inscribe it on tablets
so one may easily read it.^[a]
3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time;^(B)
it testifies about the end and will not lie.
Though it delays, wait for it,
since it will certainly come and not be late.^(C)
4 Look, his ego is inflated;^[b]
he is without integrity.
But the righteous one will live by his faith.^[c](D)