Font Size
Habakkuk 1:2-4
Christian Standard Bible
Habakkuk 1:2-4
Christian Standard Bible
Habakkuk’s First Prayer
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.
Footnotes
- 1:3 Lit observe, also in v. 13
Habakkuk 1:2-4
New Living Translation
Habakkuk 1:2-4
New Living Translation
Habakkuk’s Complaint
2 How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
but you do not come to save.
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted.
Habakkuk 1:2-4
New International Version
Habakkuk 1:2-4
New International Version
Habakkuk’s Complaint
2 How long,(A) Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?(B)
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?(C)
3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate(D) wrongdoing?(E)
Destruction and violence(F) are before me;
there is strife,(G) and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law(H) is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice(I) is perverted.(J)
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.