Habakkuk 1:5–11

⁵“Look at the nations and observe—

be utterly astounded!^a

For I am doing a work in your days

that you would never believe

even if someone told you.^b

⁶For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans^c —

that ruthless and impetuous nation

which marches through the breadth of the earth

to seize dwellings not their own.

⁷They are dreaded and feared;

from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.

⁸Their 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.

⁹All of them come bent on violence;

their hordes advance like the east wind;

they gather prisoners like sand.

¹⁰They scoff at kings

and make rulers an object of scorn.

They laugh at every fortress

and build up siege ramps to seize it.

¹¹Then they sweep by like the wind

and pass through.

They are guilty;

their own strength is their god.”