Habakkuk 2
International Standard Version Par ▾ 

Habakkuk Waits for God’s Answer

1“I will stand at my guard post

and station myself on a tower.

I will wait and see what the LORDa will say about me

and what Ib will answer when he reprimands me.c

God’s Reply to the Prophet’s Complaint

2When he answered, the LORD told me:

“Write out the revelation,

engraving it clearly on the tablets,

so that a courier may run with it.d

3For the revelation pertains to an appointed time—

it speaks truthfullye about the end.

Though it delays, wait for it,

because it will surely come about—

it will not be late!

4“Notice theirf arrogance—

they have no inward uprightnessg

but the righteous will live by their faith.

5Moreover, just as wine leads astray the proud and powerful man,

heh remains restless;

hei has expanded his appetite—

like the afterlifej or death itself, hek is never satisfied.

Hel gathers to himself all of the nations,

taking captive all of the people for himself.”

Judgment on the Plunderer of Nations

6“Will not all of these ridicule him

with mocking scorn? They will say,

‘Woe to the one who hordes for himself what isn’t his.

How long will you enrich yourself by extortion?’m

7Won’t your creditors revolt unexpectedly?

Won’t those who make you tremble wake up?

As a result, you’ll become their prey!

8Because you plundered many nations,

all of their remnants will plunder you.

Human blood has been shed,n

and violence has been done too the land,

to the city, and to all who live in it.”

Judgment on Those who Think They are Safe

9“Woe to the one who amasses profit upon unjust profit

in order to establish his household,

so he can establish a secure placep on the heights

and escape from the power of evil.

10You have brought shame to yourselfq by killing many people—

you are forfeiting your own life.

11Indeed, the stone will cry out from the wall

and the rafter will respond from the woodwork.”

Judgment on the Lawless

12“Woe to the one who founds a city upon bloodshed,

and constructs a city by lawlessness.

13Is it not because of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies

that people grow tired putting out fires,r

and nations weary themselves over nothing?

14Indeed, the earth will be filled

with knowledge of the glory of the LORD,

as water fillss the sea.”

Judgment on the Violent

15“Woe to the one who supplies his neighbor with a drink!

You are forcing your bottlet on him,u

making him drunk so you can see them naked.

16You are filled with dishonor instead of glory.

So go ahead,v drink and be naked!

The LORDw will turn against you,

and utter disgrace will debase your reputation.x

17Indeed, the violence done to Lebanon will overtake you,

and the destruction of the beasts will terrorize you—y

because you shed human blood

and did violence toz the land, to the city, and to all who live in it.”

Judgment on the Idol Maker

18“Where is the benefit in owningaa a carved image,

that motivates its maker to carvebb it?

It is only a cast image—

a teacher that lies—

because the engraver entrusts himself to his carving,

crafting speechless idols.

19“Woe to the one who says to a tree, ‘Wake up!’

or ‘Arise!’ to a speechless stone.

Idolscc like this can’t teach, can they?

Look, even though it is overlaid with gold and silver,

there’s no breath in it at all.”

The LORD’s Final Counsel to Habakkuk

20“The LORD is in his holy Temple.

All the earth—be quiet in his presence.”


Footnotes:
a 2:1 The Heb. lacks the LORD
b 2:1 Syr he
c 2:1 Lit. answer at my reprimand
d 2:2 Or that whoever reads it may run
e 2:3 Lit. speaks without deception
f 2:4 i.e. the Babylonian invaders
g 2:4 Lit. no uprightness of soul
h 2:5 i.e. Babylonian invaders personified in their king
i 2:5 i.e. Babylonian invaders personified in their king
j 2:5 Lit. Sheol; i.e. the realm of the dead
k 2:5 i.e. Babylonian invaders personified in their king
l 2:5 i.e. Babylonian invaders personified in their king
m 2:6 Lit. by loans
n 2:8 The Heb. lacks has been shed
o 2:8 Lit. violence of
p 2:9 Lit. establish his nest
q 2:10 Lit. to your house
r 2:13 Lit. tired for the sufficiency of fire
s 2:14 Lit. covers
t 2:15 Lit. wine skin
u 2:15 The Heb. lacks on him
v 2:16 The Heb. lacks go ahead
w 2:16 Lit. The power of the LORD’s right hand
x 2:16 Lit. will come upon your glory
y 2:17 The Heb. lacks you
z 2:17 Lit. violence of
aa 2:18 The Heb. lacks owning
bb 2:18 Lit. because its maker carved
cc 2:19 Lit. Things



The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1
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