Habakkuk 1:5-11
Christian Standard Bible
God’s First Answer
5 Look at the nations[a](A) and observe(B)—
be utterly astounded!(C)
For I am doing something in your days
that you will not believe(D)
when you hear about it.(E)
6 Look! I am raising up(F) the Chaldeans,[b]
that bitter,(G) impetuous nation
that marches across the earth’s open spaces
to seize territories not its own.
7 They are fierce(H) and terrifying;
their views of justice and sovereignty
stem from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter(I) than leopards(J)
and more fierce[c] than wolves of the night.
Their horsemen charge ahead;
their horsemen come from distant lands.
They fly like eagles, swooping to devour.(K)
9 All of them come to do violence;
their faces(L) are set in determination.[d]
They gather(M) prisoners like sand.(N)
10 They mock(O) kings,
and rulers are a joke to them.
They laugh(P) at every fortress
and build siege ramps to capture(Q) it.
11 Then they sweep(R) by like the wind
and pass through.
They are guilty;[e] their strength is their god.
Habakkuk 1:5-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
5 Look at the nations and see!
Be astonished! Be astounded!
For a work is being done in your days
that you would not believe if you were told.(A)
6 For I am rousing the Chaldeans,
that fierce and impetuous nation,
who march through the breadth of the earth
to seize dwellings not their own.(B)
7 Dread and fearsome are they;
their justice and dignity proceed from themselves.(C)
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards,
more menacing than wolves at dusk;
their horses charge.
Their horsemen come from far away;
they fly like an eagle swift to devour.(D)
9 They all come for violence,
with faces pressing[a] forward;
they gather captives like sand.(E)
10 At kings they scoff,
and of rulers they make sport.
They laugh at every fortress
and heap up earth to take it.(F)
11 Then they sweep by like the wind;
they transgress and become guilty;
their own might is their god!(G)
Footnotes
- 1.9 Meaning of Heb uncertain
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.