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1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
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2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
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3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
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4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
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5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
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6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
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7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
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8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
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9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
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10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
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11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
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12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
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13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
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14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
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15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
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16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
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17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
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- 1 The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.
- 2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.
- 3 Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
- 4 Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.
- 5 “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days— You would not believe if you were told.
- 6 “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
- 7 “They are dreaded and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
- 8 “Their horses are swifter than leopards And keener than wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come galloping, Their horsemen come from afar; They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour.
- 9 “All of them come for violence. Their horde of faces moves forward. They collect captives like sand.
- 10 “They mock at kings And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress And heap up rubble to capture it.
- 11 “Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, They whose strength is their god.”
- 12 Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct.
- 13 Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up Those more righteous than they?
- 14 Why have You made men like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things without a ruler over them?
- 15 The Chaldeans bring all of them up with a hook, Drag them away with their net, And gather them together in their fishing net. Therefore they rejoice and are glad.
- 16 Therefore they offer a sacrifice to their net And burn incense to their fishing net; Because through these things their catch is large, And their food is plentiful.
- 17 Will they therefore empty their net And continually slay nations without sparing?
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