6 I am going to send the armies of Babylonia to attack you.

They are very mean. They move quickly.

They sweep across the whole earth.

They take over places

that do not belong to them.

7 They terrify others.

They do not recognize any laws but their own.

That is how proud they are.

8 Their horses are faster than leopards.

They are meaner than wolves in the dark.

Their horsemen charge straight into battle.

They ride in from far away.

They come down like an eagle

diving for its food.

9 All of them are ready to destroy others.

Their huge armies advance like a wind out of the desert.

They gather prisoners like sand.

10 They laugh at kings

and make fun of rulers.

They laugh at all of the cities

that have high walls around them.

They build dirt ramps against the walls

and capture the cities.

11 They sweep past like the wind.

Then they go on their way.

They are guilty.

They worship their own strength.”

Habakkuk Asks the Lord Another Question

12 Lord, haven’t you existed forever?

You are my holy God.

So we won’t die, will we?

Lord, you have appointed the Babylonians

to punish your people.

My Rock, you have chosen them to judge us.