Habakkuk Complains to the Lord

1:1 The following is the message1 which God revealed to Habakkuk the prophet:2

1:2 How long, Lord, must I cry for help?

But you do not listen!

I call out to you, “Violence!”

But you do not intervene!3

1:3 Why do you force me to witness injustice?4

Why do you put up with wrongdoing?5

Destruction and violence confront6 me;

conflict is present and one must endure strife.7

1:4 For this reason the law lacks power,8

and justice is never carried out.9

Indeed,10 the wicked intimidate11 the innocent.12

For this reason justice is perverted.13