The LORD answers Habakkuk again

1While standing guard

on the watchtower,

I waited for the LORD's answer,

before explaining the reason

for my complaint.2.1 I…complaint: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

2Then 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.

3At the time I have decided,2.3: He 10.37.

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“I, the LORD, refuse to accept2.4: Ro 1.17; Ga 3.11; He 10.38.

anyone who is proud.

Only those who live by faith

are acceptable to me.”2.4 Only…me: Or “But those who are acceptable to me will live because of their faithfulness.”

Trouble for evil people

5Wine2.5 Wine: The Standard Hebrew Text; the Dead Sea Scrolls “Wealth”. 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.

6But they will be mocked

with these words:

You're doomed!

You stored up stolen goods

and cheated others

of what belonged to them.

7But without warning,

those you owe

will demand payment.

Then you will become

a frightened victim.

8You robbed cities and nations

everywhere on earth

and murdered their people.

Now those who survived

will be as cruel to you.

9You're doomed!

You made your family rich

at the expense of others.

You even said to yourself,

“I'm above the law.”

10But you will bring shame

on your family

and ruin to yourself

for what you did to others.

11The very stones and wood

in your home

will testify against you.

12You're doomed! You built a city

on crime and violence.

13But the LORD All-Powerful

sends up in flames

what nations and people

work so hard to gain.

14Just as water fills the sea,2.14: Is 11.9.

the land will be filled

with people who know

and honour the LORD.

15You're doomed!

You get your friends drunk,

just to see them naked.

16Now you will be disgraced

instead of praised.

The LORD will make you drunk,

and when others see you naked,

you will lose their respect.

17You destroyed trees and animals

on Mount Lebanon;

you were ruthless to towns

and people everywhere.

Now you will be terrorized.

Idolatry is foolish

18What is an idol worth?

It's merely a false god.

Why trust a speechless image

made from wood or metal

by human hands?

19What 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!”

20Let all the world be silent—

the LORD is present

in his holy temple.