Habakkuk 1:5
3 Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
“Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans — that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.
7 They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- “Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
- KJV
- Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
- WEB
- “Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days which you will not believe though it is told you.
- ASV
- Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you.
- DARBY
- See ye among the nations, and behold, and wonder marvellously; for [I] work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be declared [to you].
- BLB
- “Look among the nations and observe them, and be utterly astonished. For a work [I am] doing in your⁺ days, [that] you⁺ would not believe even if it were recounted.
- ÅB
- Se dere omkring blant folkene, se og bli forferdet, ja forferdet! For en gjerning gjør jeg i deres dager - dere skulle ikke tro den når den ble fortalt.
- OTB
- "Se blant nasjonene,
observer, og bli forbløffet.
For jeg gjør en gjerning i dine dager
som du ikke ville tro om det ble fortalt. - B1930
- Se eder omkring blandt folkene, se og bli forferdet, ja forferdet! For en gjerning gjør jeg i eders dager - I skulde ikke tro den når den blev fortalt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Acts 13:40–41
Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:
Read in contextIsaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
Read in contextLamentations 4:12
The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any people of the world, that an enemy or a foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
Read in contextJeremiah 5:12–13
They have lied about the LORD and said: “He will not do anything; harm will not come to us; we will not see sword or famine.
Read in contextJeremiah 9:25–26
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised yet uncircumcised:
Read in contextJeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”
Read in contextIsaiah 29:9
Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.
Read in contextJeremiah 25:14–29
For many nations and great kings will enslave them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.’”
Read in context