Habakkuk Complains to the Lord

Our Lord, how long must I beg for your help before you listen? How long before you save us from all this violence?

Why do you make me watch such terrible injustice? Why do you allow violence, lawlessness, crime, and cruelty to spread everywhere?

I am sending the Babylonians. They are fierce and cruel— marching across the land, conquering cities and towns.

Their cavalry troops are faster than leopards, more ferocious than wolves hunting at sunset, and swifter than hungry eagles suddenly swooping down.

They are eager to destroy, and they gather captives like handfuls of sand.

They make fun of rulers and laugh at fortresses, while building dirt mounds so they can capture cities.

Then suddenly they disappear like a gust of wind— those sinful people who worship their own strength.

Habakkuk Complains Again

Holy Lord God, mighty rock, you are eternal, and we are safe from death. You are using those Babylonians to judge and punish others.

But you can't stand sin or wrong. So don't sit by in silence while they gobble up people who are better than they are.

Then an enemy comes along and takes them captive with hooks and nets. It makes him so happy

that he offers sacrifices to his fishing nets, because they make him rich and provide choice foods.

Will he keep hauling in his nets and destroying nations without showing mercy?

The Lord Answers Habakkuk Again

While standing guard on the watchtower, I waited for the Lord's answer, before explaining the reason for my complaint.

At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting— it will happen!

Trouble for Evil People

Wine is treacherous, and arrogant people are never satisfied. They are no less greedy than death itself— they open their mouths as wide as the world of the dead and swallow everyone.

But they will be mocked with these words: You're doomed! You stored up stolen goods and cheated others of what belonged to them.

You robbed cities and nations everywhere on earth and murdered their people. Now those who survived will be as cruel to you.

You're doomed! You made your family rich at the expense of others. You even said to yourself, “I'm above the law.”

But you will bring shame on your family and ruin to yourself for what you did to others.

The very stones and wood in your home will testify against you.

But the Lord All-Powerful sends up in flames what nations and people work so hard to gain.

Just as water fills the sea, the land will be filled with people who know and honor the Lord.

You're doomed! You get your friends drunk, just to see them naked.

Now you will be disgraced instead of praised. The Lord will make you drunk, and when others see you naked, you will lose their respect.

Idolatry Is Foolish

What is an idol worth? It's merely a false god. Why trust a speechless image made from wood or metal by human hands?