(A)How long, Lord, have I called for help,
And You do not hear?
I cry out to You, “Violence!”
Yet You do (B)not save.
Why do You make me (C)see disaster,
And make me look at destitution?
Yes, (D)devastation and violence are before me;
(E)Strife exists and contention arises.
Therefore the (F)Law [a]is ignored,
And justice [b]is never upheld.
For the wicked (G)surround the righteous;
Therefore justice comes out (H)confused.

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Footnotes

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

O Yahweh, how long shall I cry for help
    and you will not listen?
How long will I cry out to you, “Violence!”
    and you will not save?
Why do you cause me to see evil
    while you look at trouble?
Destruction and violence happen before me;
    contention and strife arise.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice does not go forth perpetually.[a]
For the wicked surround the righteous;
    therefore justice goes forth perverted.

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Footnotes

  1. Habakkuk 1:4 Or “forever”