Habakkuk

¹ The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it:

² before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to the rescue?

³ stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place.

⁴ Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.

⁵ Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock. Something's about to take place and you're going to find it hard to believe.

⁶ Babylonians, fierce and ferocious— World-conquering Babylon, grabbing up nations right and left,

⁷ making up its own rules as it goes.

⁸ attack like bloodthirsty wolves. A stampede of galloping horses thunders out of nowhere. They descend like vultures circling in on carrion.

⁹ They collect victims like squirrels gathering nuts.

¹⁰ poke fun at generals, Spit on forts, and leave them in the dust.

¹¹ Brazen in sin, they call strength their god."

¹² Holy God, we aren't going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline?

¹³ You can't condone evil! So why don't you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!

¹⁴ as so many fish in the ocean, Swimming without direction, swimming but not getting anywhere.

¹⁵ He pulls in a good catch. He catches his limit and fills his creel— a good day of fishing! He's happy!

¹⁶ piles his fishing gear on an altar and worships it! It's made his day, and he's going to eat well tonight!

¹⁷ Will you let this Babylonian fisherman Fish like a weekend angler, killing people as if they're nothing but fish?