Habacuc Propheta 1
1 Onus, quod vidit Habacuc propheta.
This is the burden that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision:
2 Usquequo Domine clamabo, et non exaudies? vociferabor ad te vim patiens, et non salvabis?
How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?
3 Quare ostendisti mihi iniquitatem, et laborem, videre praedam, et iniustitiam contra me? Quare respicis contemptores, et taces, conculcante impio iustiorem se? Et facies homines quasi pisces maris; et quasi reptilia non habentia ducem; et factum est iudicium, et contradictio potentior.
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 Propter hoc lacerata est lex, et non pervenit usque ad finem iudicium: quia impius praevalet adversus iustum, propterea egreditur iudicium perversum.
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
5 Aspicite in gentibus, et videte: admiramini, et obstupescite: quia opus factum est in diebus vestris, quod nemo credet cum narrabitur.
“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 Quia ecce ego suscitabo Chaldaeos, gentem amaram et velocem, ambulantem super latitudinem terrae, ut possideat tabernacula non sua.
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 Horribilis, et terribilis est: ex semetipsa iudicium, et onus eius egredietur.
They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.
8 Leviores pardis equi eius, et velociores lupis vespertinis: et diffundentur equites eius: equites namque eius de longe venient, volabunt quasi aquila festinans ad comedendum.
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.
9 Omnes ad praedam venient, facies eorum ventus urens: et congregabit quasi arenam, captivitatem.
All of them come bent on violence; their hordes advance like the east wind; they gather prisoners like sand.
10 Et ipse de regibus triumphabit, et tyranni ridiculi eius erunt: ipse super omnem munitionem ridebit, et comportabit aggerem, et capiet eam.
They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.
11 Tunc mutabitur spiritus, et pertransibit; et corruet: haec est fortitudo eius dei sui.
Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”
12 Numquid non tu a principio Domine Deus meus, sancte meus, et non moriemur? Domine in iudicium posuisti eum: et fortem ut corriperes, fundasti eum.
Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.
13 Mundi sunt oculi tui, ne videas malum, et respicere ad iniquitatem non poteris. quare respicis super iniqua agentes, et taces devorante impio iustiorem se?
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
14 Et facies homines quasi pisces maris, et quasi reptile non habens principem.
You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.
15 Totum in hamo sublevavit, traxit illud in sagena sua, et congregavit in rete suum. Super hoc laetabitur et exultabit.
The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly.
16 propterea immolabit sagenae suae, et sacrificabit reti suo: quia in ipsis incrassata est pars eius, et cibus eius electus.
Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich.
17 Propter hoc ergo expandit sagenam suam, et semper interficere Gentes non cessat.
Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy?
