Habakkuk 1:1–6

This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

2 How long, O Lord, must I call for help?

But you do not listen!

“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,

but you do not come to save.

3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?

Why must I watch all this misery?

Wherever I look,

I see destruction and violence.

I am surrounded by people

who love to argue and fight.

4 The law has become paralyzed,

and there is no justice in the courts.

The wicked far outnumber the righteous,

so that justice has become perverted.

The Lord’s Reply

5 The Lord replied,

“Look around at the nations;

look and be amazed!*

For I am doing something in your own day,

something you wouldn’t believe

even if someone told you about it.

6 I am raising up the Babylonians,*

a cruel and violent people.

They will march across the world

and conquer other lands.