1 I am Habakkuk the prophet. And this is the message that the Lord gave me.
2 Our Lord, how long must I begfor your helpbefore you listen?How long before you save usfrom all this violence?
3 Why do you make me watchsuch terrible injustice?Why do you allow violence,lawlessness, crime, and crueltyto spread everywhere?
4 Laws cannot be enforced;justice is always the loser;criminals crowd out honest peopleand twist the laws around.
5 Look and be amazedat what's happeningamong the nations!Even if you were told,you would never believewhat's taking place now.
6 I am sending the Babylonians.They are fierce and cruel—marching across the land,conquering cities and towns.
7 How fearsome and frightening.Their only laws and rulesare the ones they make up.