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Prophetia Habacuc, 1

1. Oraculum, quod vidit Habacuc propheta.

1. The oracle of God which Habak'kuk the prophet saw.

2. Usquequo, Domine, clamabo, et non exaudis? Vociferabor ad te: “Violentia!”, et non salvas?

2. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and thou wilt not hear? Or cry to thee "Violence!" and thou wilt not save?

3. Quare ostendisti mihi iniquitatem et malitiam vides? Et vastitas et violentia est coram me, et facta est contentio, et iurgium exoritur.

3. Why dost thou make me see wrongs and look upon trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

4. Propter hoc languet lex, et non pervenit usque ad finem iudicium. Quia impius praevalet adversus iustum, propterea egreditur iudicium perversum.

4. So the law is slacked and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted.

5. “Aspicite in gentibus et videte, admiramini et obstupescite, quia opus facio in diebus vestris, quod nemo credet, cum narrabitur.

5. Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

6. Quia ecce ego suscitabo Chaldaeos, gentem amaram et velocem, ambulantem super latitudinem terrae, ut possideat tabernacula non sua.

6. For lo, I am rousing the Chalde'ans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize habitations not their own.

7. Horribilis et terribilis est, ex semetipsa iudicium eius et maiestas eius egredietur.

7. Dread and terrible are they; their justice and dignity proceed from themselves.

8. Leviores pardis equi eius et saeviores lupis deserti; et accurrunt equites eius: equites namque eius de longe venient, volabunt quasi aquila festinans ad comedendum.

8. Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Yea, their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour.

9. Omnes, ut violentiam faciant, venient, omnes facies eorum ventus urens; et congregabunt quasi arenam captivos.

9. They all come for violence; terror of them goes before them. They gather captives like sand.

10. Et ipsa reges subsannabit, tyrannis illudet; ipsa super omnem munitionem ridebit et comportabit aggerem et capiet eam.

10. At kings they scoff, and of rulers they make sport. They laugh at every fortress, for they heap up earth and take it.

11. Tunc ultra progrediens quasi ventus pertransibit et constituet fortitudinem suam deum suum”.

11. Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!

12. Numquid non tu a principio, Domine, Deus meus, sanctus meus, qui non morieris? Domine, ad iudicium posuisti eam; petra mea, ad corripiendum fundasti eam.

12. Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them as a judgment; and thou, O Rock, hast established them for chastisement.

13. Mundi sunt oculi tui, ne videas malum; et respicere ad iniquitatem non poteris. Quare respicis super inique agentes et taces, devorante impio iustiorem se?

13. Thou who art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on wrong, why dost thou look on faithless men, and art silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

14. Fecisti homines quasi pisces maris, quasi reptile non habens principem super se.

14. For thou makest men like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.

15. Omnes in hamo sublevat, trahit eos in sagena sua et congregat in rete suo; super hoc laetatur et exsultat.

15. He brings all of them up with a hook, he drags them out with his net, he gathers them in his seine; so he rejoices and exults.

16. Propterea immolat sagenae suae et sacrificat reti suo, quia in ipsis incrassata est portio eius, et cibus eius pinguis.

16. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his seine; for by them he lives in luxury, and his food is rich.

17. Propter hoc ergo evaginabit gladium suum semper, ut interficiat gentes sine misericordia?

17. Is he then to keep on emptying his net, and mercilessly slaying nations for ever?



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Footnotes:

1:1-4 - Habakkuk begins his prayer with a complaint against the injustice and violence prevalent in Judah. He questions God's silence in the face of corruption. This situation reflects the struggle of many believers facing evil in the world, seeking to understand why God allows such suffering (see also Psalm 13:1-2 and Jeremiah 12:1-4).

1:5-11 - God responds that He will raise up the Babylonians as an instrument of judgment against Judah. The divine response highlights God's sovereign power over the nations and His ability to use even enemies to accomplish His plans. This challenges human understanding of God's justice (see also Isaiah 10:5-7 and Jeremiah 25:9).

1:12-17 - Habakkuk questions God's justice, asking for clarification regarding the use of the Babylonians, a people even more wicked than the Jews. He expresses the tension between God's holiness and the apparent prosperity of the wicked. This is a common question in times of suffering, when evil seems to triumph (see also Psalm 73:3-17 and Romans 9:19-21).

1:18-20 - Habakkuk affirms that although evil and violence prevail, he trusts in God's justice. He recognizes that God is sovereign over all nations, and His justice will be served in its own time. Trust in God, even in the face of evil, is a central lesson for believers (see also Isaiah 66:15-16 and Revelation 6:9-11).

Verses related to Prophetia Habacuc, 1:

Habakkuk chapter 1 records the prophet's dialogue with God. How does Habakkuk deal with apparent injustice? This profound text expresses the prophet's perplexity at the violence and iniquity in Judah. God responds by announcing judgment through the Chaldeans. Habakkuk then questions how a holy God could use a wicked nation to punish His people. The chapter reveals the tension between divine sovereignty and human justice. Consider with us five biblical passages that resonate with themes of theodicy in this challenging chapter.

Psalms 73:3: "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of these wicked people." - This verse reflects Habakkuk's frustration in 1:3-4 over the apparent prosperity of the wicked.

Jeremiah 12:1: "You are right, Lord, when I present my case before you. However, I want to argue with you about your justice. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all traitors live in peace?" - Like Habakkuk in 1:13, Jeremiah questions God's apparent tolerance for wickedness.

Romans 1:17: "Because in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that from beginning to end is by faith, as it is written: 'The just will live by faith'." - Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, which is introduced in the context of Habakkuk's complaints in chapter 1.

Isaiah 10:5-6: "Woe to Assyria, the rod of my wrath! In your hands is the staff of my indignation! I send her against an impious nation, I send her against a people who anger me, to plunder them and despoil them, and to trample them like the mud of the streets.'" - This excerpt echoes God's explanation in Habakkuk 1:5-11 regarding the Chaldeans' use as an instrument of judgment.

Acts 13:41: "Look, you scorners, marvel and perish; for in your days I will do something that you would not believe if someone told you!'" - Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5 in his sermon, applying the prophet's warning to his own time.

FAQ:

Why does Habakkuk question God about the suffering of the righteous?

Habakkuk questions God about the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, expressing his anguish over the apparent lack of justice. (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

What does God say to Habakkuk about the oppression of the wicked?

God reveals that He will use the Babylonians, a ruthless people, to punish the wicked, showing that God's justice will be executed, even if in an unexpected way. (Habakkuk 1:5-11)

How does Habakkuk react to God's answer about the Babylonians?

Habakkuk expresses his concern that God would use a more wicked people to punish the wicked, questioning the validity of such an action. (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

What can we learn about the nature of God from Habakkuk 1?

Habakkuk 1 teaches us that God is sovereign, just, and uses unexpected means to accomplish His purposes, even when we don't fully understand them. (Habakkuk 1:12-13)

What is the hope God presents to the righteous in Habakkuk 1?

The hope for the righteous is that, though the wicked may seem to prosper, in the end, God will bring justice. The righteous will live by faith, trusting in God's sovereignty. (Habakkuk 1:4)


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