← Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2

1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected. Begin Abide·
2
Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. Begin Abide·
3
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay. Begin Abide·
4
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith— Begin Abide·
5
and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own. Begin Abide·
6
Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’ Begin Abide·
7
Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey. Begin Abide·
8
Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers. Begin Abide·
9
Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster! Begin Abide·
10
You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life. Begin Abide·
11
For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will echo it from the woodwork. Begin Abide·
12
Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity! Begin Abide·
13
Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? Begin Abide·
14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Begin Abide·
15
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! Begin Abide·
16
You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory. Begin Abide·
17
For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers. Begin Abide·
18
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Begin Abide·
19
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” Begin Abide·
20
But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him. Begin Abide·