1 The burden{H4853} which Habakkuk{H2265} the prophet{H5030} did see{H2372}{(H8804)}.

2 O LORD{H3068}, how long shall I cry{H7768}{(H8765)}, and thou wilt not hear{H8085}{(H8799)}! even cry out{H2199}{(H8799)} unto thee of violence{H2555}, and thou wilt not save{H3467}{(H8686)}!

3 Why dost thou shew{H7200}{(H8686)} me iniquity{H205}, and cause me to behold{H5027}{(H8686)} grievance{H5999}? for spoiling{H7701} and violence{H2555} are before me: and there are that raise up{H5375}{(H8799)} strife{H7379} and contention{H4066}.

4 Therefore the law{H8451} is slacked{H6313}{(H8799)}, and judgment{H4941} doth never{H5331} go forth{H3318}{(H8799)}: for the wicked{H7563} doth compass{H3803}{(H8688)} about the righteous{H6662}; therefore wrong{H6127}{(H8794)} judgment{H4941} proceedeth{H3318}{(H8799)}.

5 Behold{H7200}{(H8798)} ye among the heathen{H1471}, and regard{H5027}{(H8685)}, and wonder{H8539}{(H8690)} marvellously{H8539}{(H8798)}: for I will work{H6466}{(H8802)} a work{H6467} in your days{H3117}, which ye will not believe{H539}{(H8686)}, though it be told{H5608}{(H8792)} you.

6 For, lo, I raise up{H6965}{(H8688)} the Chaldeans{H3778}, that bitter{H4751} and hasty{H4116}{(H8737)} nation{H1471}, which shall march{H1980}{(H8802)} through the breadth{H4800} of the land{H776}, to possess{H3423}{(H8800)} the dwellingplaces{H4908} that are not theirs.

7 They are terrible{H366} and dreadful{H3372}{(H8737)}: their judgment{H4941} and their dignity{H7613} shall proceed{H3318}{(H8799)} of themselves.

8 Their horses{H5483} also are swifter{H7043}{(H8804)} than the leopards{H5246}, and are more fierce{H2300}{(H8804)} than the evening{H6153} wolves{H2061}: and their horsemen{H6571} shall spread{H6335}{(H8804)} themselves, and their horsemen{H6571} shall come{H935}{(H8799)} from far{H7350}; they shall fly{H5774}{(H8799)} as the eagle{H5404} that hasteth{H2363}{(H8804)} to eat{H398}{(H8800)}.

9 They shall come{H935}{(H8799)} all for violence{H2555}: their faces{H6440} shall sup up{H4041} as the east wind{H6921}, and they shall gather{H622}{(H8799)} the captivity{H7628} as the sand{H2344}.

10 And they shall scoff{H7046}{(H8691)} at the kings{H4428}, and the princes{H7336}{(H8802)} shall be a scorn{H4890} unto them: they shall deride{H7832}{(H8799)} every strong hold{H4013}; for they shall heap{H6651}{(H8799)} dust{H6083}, and take{H3920}{(H8799)} it.

11 Then shall his mind{H7307} change{H2498}{(H8804)}, and he shall pass over{H5674}{(H8799)}, and offend{H816}{(H8804)}, imputing this{H2098} his power{H3581} unto his god{H433}.

12 Art thou not from everlasting{H6924}, O LORD{H3068} my God{H430}, mine Holy One{H6918}? we shall not die{H4191}{(H8799)}. O LORD{H3068}, thou hast ordained{H7760}{(H8804)} them for judgment{H4941}; and, O mighty God{H6697}, thou hast established{H3245}{(H8804)} them for correction{H3198}{(H8687)}.

13 Thou art of purer{H2889} eyes{H5869} than to behold{H7200}{(H8800)} evil{H7451}, and canst{H3201}{(H8799)} not look{H5027}{(H8687)} on iniquity{H5999}: wherefore lookest{H5027}{(H8686)} thou upon them that deal treacherously{H898}{(H8802)}, and holdest thy tongue{H2790}{(H8686)} when the wicked{H7563} devoureth{H1104}{(H8763)} the man that is more righteous{H6662} than he?

14 And makest{H6213}{(H8799)} men{H120} as the fishes{H1709} of the sea{H3220}, as the creeping things{H7431}, that have no ruler{H4910}{(H8802)} over them?

15 They take up{H5927}{(H8689)} all of them with the angle{H2443}, they catch{H1641}{(H8799)} them in their net{H2764}, and gather{H622}{(H8799)} them in their drag{H4365}: therefore they rejoice{H8055}{(H8799)} and are glad{H1523}{(H8799)}.

16 Therefore they sacrifice{H2076}{(H8762)} unto their net{H2764}, and burn incense{H6999}{(H8762)} unto their drag{H4365}; because by them{H1992} their portion{H2506} is fat{H8082}, and their meat{H3978} plenteous{H1277}.

17 Shall they therefore empty{H7324}{(H8686)} their net{H2764}, and not spare{H2550}{(H8799)} continually{H8548} to slay{H2026}{(H8800)} the nations{H1471}?