Habakkuk 2

Chapter 2

1 I will climb up to my watchtower
and stand at my guardpost.
There I will wait to see what the LORD says
and how het will answer my complaint.

The LORD’s Second Reply

2 Then the LORD said to me,
“Write my answer plainly on tablets,
so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.3 This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,
for it will surely take place.
It will not be delayed.4 “Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.t5 Wealtht is treacherous,
and the arrogant are never at rest.
They open their mouths as wide as the grave,t
and like death, they are never satisfied.
In their greed they have gathered up many nations
and swallowed many peoples.6 “But soon their captives will taunt them.
They will mock them, saying,
‘What sorrow awaits you thieves!
Now you will get what you deserve!
You’ve become rich by extortion,
but how much longer can this go on?’7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action.
They will turn on you and take all you have,
while you stand trembling and helpless.8 Because you have plundered many nations,
now all the survivors will plunder you.
You committed murder throughout the countryside
and filled the towns with violence.9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses
with money gained dishonestly!
You believe your wealth will buy security,
putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.10 But by the murders you committed,
you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you,
and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities
with money gained through murder and corruption!13 Has not the LORD of Heaven’s Armies promised
that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?
They work so hard,
but all in vain!14 For as the waters fill the sea,
the earth will be filled with an awareness
of the glory of the LORD.15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk!
You force your cup on them
so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced.
Come, drink and be exposed!t
Drink from the cup of the LORD’s judgment,
and all your glory will be turned to shame.17 You cut down the forests of Lebanon.
Now you will be cut down.
You destroyed the wild animals,
so now their terror will be yours.
You committed murder throughout the countryside
and filled the towns with violence.18 “What good is an idol carved by man,
or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation—
a god that can’t even talk!19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,
‘Wake up and save us!’
To speechless stone images you say,
‘Rise up and teach us!’
Can an idol tell you what to do?
They may be overlaid with gold and silver,
but they are lifeless inside.20 But the LORD is in his holy Temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him.”

HABAKKUK 2

The [Lord] Answers //Habakkuk Again

1 While standing guard
on the watchtower,
I waited for the [Lord]'s answer,
before explaining the reason
for my complaint.t

2 Then the [Lord] told me:
“I will give you my message
in the form of a vision.
Write it clearly enough
to be read at a glance.

3  t At the time I have decided,
my words will come true.
You can trust what I say
about the future.
It may take a long time,
but keep on waiting—
it will happen!

4  t “I, the [Lord], refuse to accept
anyone who is proud.
Only those who live by faith
are acceptable to me.”t

Trouble for Evil People

5 Winet is treacherous,
and arrogant people
are never satisfied.
They are no less greedy
than death itself—
they open their mouths as wide
as the world of the dead
and swallow everyone.

6 But they will be mocked
with these words:
You're doomed!
You stored up stolen goods
and cheated others
of what belonged to them.

7 But without warning,
those you owe
will demand payment.
Then you will become
a frightened victim.

8 You robbed cities and nations
everywhere on earth
and murdered their people.
Now those who survived
will be as cruel to you.

9 You're doomed!
You made your family rich
at the expense of others.
You even said to yourself,
“I'm above the law.”

10 But you will bring shame
on your family
and ruin to yourself
for what you did to others.

11 The very stones and wood
in your home
will testify against you.

12 You're doomed! You built a city
on crime and violence.

13  t But the [Lord] All-Powerful
sends up in flames
what nations and people
work so hard to gain.

14  t Just as water fills the sea,
the land will be filled
with people who know
and honor the [Lord].

15 You're doomed!
You get your friends drunk,
just to see them naked.

16 Now you will be disgraced
instead of praised.
The [Lord] will make you drunk,
and when others see you naked,
you will lose their respect.

17 You destroyed trees and animals
on Mount Lebanon;
you were ruthless to towns
and people everywhere.
Now you will be terrorized.

Idolatry Is Foolish

18 What is an idol worth?
It's merely a false god.
Why trust a speechless image
made from wood or metal
by human hands?

19 What can you learn from idols
covered with silver or gold?
They can't even breathe.
Pity anyone who says to an idol
of wood or stone,
“Get up and do something!”

20 Let all the world be silent—
the [Lord] is present
in his holy temple.