Habakkuk 2

2I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he

will answer my complaint.H5975H4931H3320H4692H6822H7200H1696H7725H8433

The Lord’s Second Reply

2Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.H3068H6030H559H3789H2377H874H3871H7323H71213This 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.H2377H4150H7093H6315H3576H4102H2442H935H935H3094“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God

.H5315H6075H3474H6662H2421H5305Wealth

is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.H898H3196H3093H1397H5115H7337H5315H7585H4194H7646H622H1471H6908H59716“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?’H5375H4912H4426H2420H559H1945H7235H3513H56717Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless.H6965H6621H5391H3364H2111H49338Because you have plundered many nations; now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.H7997H7227H1471H3499H5971H7997H120H1818H2555H776H7151H34279“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.H1945H1214H7451H1215H1004H7760H7064H4791H5337H3709H745110But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.H3289H1322H1004H7096H7227H5971H2398H531511The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.H68H2199H7023H3714H6086H603012“What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption!H1945H1129H5892H1818H3559H7151H576613Has 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!H3068H6635H5971H3021H1767H784H3816H3286H1767H738514For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.H776H4390H3045H3519H3068H4325H3680H322015“What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.H1945H7453H8248H5596H2573H7937H5027H458916But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.H7646H7036H3519H8354H6188H3563H3068H3225H5437H7022H351917You 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.H2555H3844H3680H7701H929H2865H120H1818H2555H776H7151H342718“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!H3276H6459H3335H6458H4541H3384H8267H3335H3336H982H6213H483H45719What 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.H1945H559H6086H6974H1748H68H5782H3384H8610H2091H3701H7307H713020But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”H3068H6944H1964H776H2013H6440