The burden{H4853} which Habakkuk{H2265} the prophet{H5030} did see.{H2372}

O Jehovah,{H3068} how long shall I cry,{H7768} and thou wilt not hear?{H8085} I cry out{H2199} unto thee of violence,{H2555} and thou wilt not save.{H3467}

Why dost thou show{H7200} me iniquity,{H205} and look{H5027} upon perverseness?{H5999} for destruction{H7701} and violence{H2555} are before me; and there is strife,{H7379} and contention{H4066} riseth up.{H5375}

Therefore the law{H8451} is slacked,{H6313} and justice{H4941} doth never{H5331} go forth;{H3318} for the wicked{H7563} doth compass{H3803} about the righteous;{H6662} therefore justice{H4941} goeth forth{H3318} perverted.{H6127}

Behold{H7200} ye among the nations,{H1471} and look,{H5027} and wonder{H8539} marvellously;{H8539} for I am working{H6466} a work{H6467} in your days,{H3117} which ye will not believe{H539} though it be told{H5608} you.

For, lo, I raise up{H6965} the Chaldeans,{H3778} that bitter{H4751} and hasty{H4116} nation,{H1471} that march{H1980} through the breadth{H4800} of the earth,{H776} to possess{H3423} dwelling-places{H4908} that are not theirs.

They are terrible{H366} and dreadful;{H3372} their judgment{H4941} and their dignity{H7613} proceed{H3318} from themselves.

Their horses{H5483} also are swifter{H7043} than leopards,{H5246} and are more fierce{H2300} than the evening{H6153} wolves;{H2061} and their horsemen{H6571} press proudly{H6335} on: yea, their horsemen{H6571} come{H935} from far;{H7350} they fly{H5774} as an eagle{H5404} that hasteth{H2363} to devour.{H398}

They come{H935} all of them for violence;{H2555} the set{H4041} of their faces{H6440} is forwards;{H6921} and they gather{H622} captives{H7628} as the sand.{H2344}

Yea, he scoffeth{H7046} at kings,{H4428} and princes{H7336} are a derision{H4890} unto him; he derideth{H7832} every stronghold;{H4013} for he heapeth{H6651} up dust,{H6083} and taketh{H3920} it.

Then shall he sweep{H2498} by [as] a wind,{H7307} and shall pass over,{H5674} and be guilty,{H816} [even] he whose{H2098} might{H3581} is his god.{H433}

Art not thou from everlasting,{H6924} O Jehovah{H3068} my God,{H430} my Holy One?{H6918} we shall not die.{H4191} O Jehovah,{H3068} thou hast ordained{H7760} him for judgment;{H4941} and thou, O Rock,{H6697} hast established{H3245} him for correction.{H3198}

Thou that art of purer{H2889} eyes{H5869} than to behold{H7200} evil,{H7451} and that canst{H3201} not look{H5027} on perverseness,{H5999} wherefore lookest{H5027} thou upon them that deal treacherously,{H898} and holdest thy peace{H2790} when the wicked{H7563} swalloweth{H1104} up the man that is more righteous{H6662} than he;

and makest{H6213} men{H120} as the fishes{H1709} of the sea,{H3220} as the creeping things,{H7431} that have no ruler{H4910} over them?

He taketh up{H5927} all of them with the angle,{H2443} he catcheth{H1641} them in his net,{H2764} and gathereth{H622} them in his drag:{H4365} therefore he rejoiceth{H8055} and is glad.{H1523}

Therefore he sacrificeth{H2076} unto his net,{H2764} and burneth incense{H6999} unto his drag;{H4365} because by them{H1992} his portion{H2506} is fat,{H8082} and his food{H3978} plenteous.{H1277}

Shall he therefore empty{H7324} his net,{H2764} and spare{H2550} not to slay{H2026} the nations{H1471} continually?{H8548}