1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet saw.
2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear; and raise my voice unto thee because of the violence, and thou wilt not save?
3 Why dost thou cause me to see iniquity and cause me to behold grievance and destruction and violence before me, in addition to those that raise up strife and contention?
4 Therefore the law is weakened, and the judgment does not go forth true: for the wicked compasses about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceeds.
5 Behold among the Gentiles and regard and wonder marvelously, for a work shall be done in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
6 For, behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which march through the breadth of the earth to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
7 She is terrible and dreadful: from her herself shall go forth their rights and their grandeur.