From Bad to Worse

^[1] The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. ^[2] How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? ^[3] Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. ^[4] Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. ^[5] “Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. ^[6] I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. ^[7] They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. ^[8] Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; ^[9] they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. ^[10] They mock kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them. ^[11] Then they sweep past like the wind and go on- guilty people, whose own strength is their god.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.