Habakkuk’s First Prayer

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?
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.
This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict(E) the righteous;
therefore, justice(F) comes out perverted.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:3 Lit observe, also in v. 13

The Prophet’s First Complaint

“How long, Lord, must I cry out for help,
but you won’t listen?
I’m crying out to you, ‘Violence!’
    but you aren’t providing deliverance.
Why are you forcing me to look at iniquity
    and to stare at wickedness?
Social havoc and oppression are all around me;
    there are legal conflicts, and disputes abound.
Therefore, the Law has become paralyzed,
    and justice never comes about.
Because criminals outnumber[a] the righteous,
    whenever judgments are issued, they come out crooked.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Habakkuk 1:4 Lit. are surrounding