Habakkuk 1:2-4
New American Standard Bible
2 (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.
3 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.
4 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.
Footnotes
- Habakkuk 1:4 Or is ineffective; lit turns cold
- Habakkuk 1:4 Lit never goes forth
Habakkuk 1:2-4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Prophet’s Complaint
2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!”
and you will not save?(A)
3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing
and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.(B)
4 So the law becomes slack,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous;
therefore judgment comes forth perverted.(C)
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