King James Version

1 The burden that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 How long, O Lord, will I cry out and you will not hear? I cry out to you, "Violence!" and you will not save. 3 Why do you show me iniquity and look at oppression and robbery and violence in front of me? And strife and contention arise. 4 Therefore, the law will be abolished, and justice will not go forth forever, for the wicked surrounds the righteous; therefore, justice will come out perverted. 5 Behold among the nations and look and marvel greatly, for a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if it were told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which marches through the breadths of the earth to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. 7 He is terrible and fearful; from Him comes judgment, and His exaltation will go forth. 8 And my horses are swift, and they are stronger than evening wolves, and my horses will spread out, and my horse will come from afar; they will fly like an eagle hastening to eat. 9 All of them for violence will come to the intent of their faces from the east, and he will gather like the sand of the sea. 10 And he will be honored among kings, and the nobles will laugh at him; he will be a jest for every fortress; he will gather dust and will seize it. 11 Then a spirit passed and he went, and his strength was before his God. 12 "Are you not from of old, O Lord my God, holy? We shall not die. O Lord, you have appointed judgment, and you, O rock, have established teaching." 13 Pure are the eyes from seeing evil and cannot look at toil; why do you gaze at traitors? Be silent before the wicked who swallows the righteous from among them. 14 And man did like the fish of the sea; the creeping thing does not rule over him. 15 All in waiting she has lifted up his fear in his destruction, and he will gather him in his hiding place; therefore he will rejoice and be glad. 16 Therefore, he will sacrifice to his idol and will make offerings to his graven images, for in them is the fat of his portion and his food in abundance. 17 Therefore, he will pour out his wrath, and he will continually slay nations; he will not spare.