New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures — With References (Rbi8, en_US, 1984)

Habakkuk

1

2

3

Habakkuk, 3

1 The prayer of Ha·bakʹkuk the prophet in dirges:*1

  1. “Dirges.” Heb., shigh·yo·nohthʹ; LXX, “a song”; Vg, “(for) ignorant acts; (for) ignorances.” See Ps 7:Sup ftn, “Dirge.”

2 O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of [the] years O bring it to life! In the midst of [the] years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember.

3 God*1 himself proceeded to come from Teʹman,*2 even a Holy One from Mount Paʹran. Seʹlah.*3 His dignity covered [the] heavens; and with his praise the earth became filled.

  1. “God.” Heb., ʼElohʹah, sing.; Gr., The·osʹ; Lat., Deʹus.

  2. “From Teman.” Heb., mit·Teh·manʹ; Gr., ek Thai·manʹ. Or, “from the south,” as in Vg; compare Ex 26:18, 35.

  3. “Selah.” Heb., seʹlah; Gr., di·aʹpsal·ma, “musical interlude.” The word occurs three times in this prayer of Habakkuk. See Ps 3:2 ftn, “Selah.”

4 As for [his]*1 brightness, it got to be just like the light. He had two rays*2 [issuing] out of his hand, and there the hiding of his strength was.

  1. “His,” LXXSyVg; M omits.

  2. Lit., “horns.” Compare Ex 34:29, 30, 35.

5 Before him pestilence kept going, and burning fever would go forth at his feet.

6 He stood still, that he might shake up [the] earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. And the eternal mountains got to be smashed; the indefinitely lasting hills bowed down. The walkings of long ago are his.

7 Under what is hurtful I saw the tents of Cuʹshan.*1 The tent cloths of the land of Midʹi·an began to be agitated.

  1. “Cushan,” MSy; LXX, “the Ethiopians”; Vg, “Ethiopia.”

8 Is it against the rivers, O Jehovah, is it against the rivers that your anger has become hot, or is your fury against the sea? For you went riding upon your horses; your chariots were salvation.

9 In [its] nakedness your bow comes to be uncovered. The sworn oaths of [the] tribes are the thing said.*1 Seʹlah. With rivers you proceeded to split [the] earth.

  1. “In [its] nakedness . . . the thing said,” M; LXXBagster, “Surely thou didst bend thy bow at sceptres, saith the Lord [LXXVTS 10a, “Jehovah”].” See App 1C §2.

10 Mountains saw you; they got to be in severe pains. A thunderstorm of waters passed through. The watery deep*1 gave forth its sound. On high its hands it lifted up.

  1. Or, “surging waters.” Heb., tehohmʹ; Syr., tehu·maʼ; LXXVg, “abyss.” See Ge 1:2 ftn, “Deep.”

11 Sun—moon—stood still, in the lofty abode thereof. Like light your own arrows kept going. The lightning of your spear served for brightness.

12 With denunciation you went marching [through] the earth. In anger you went threshing [the] nations.

13 And you went forth for the salvation of your people, to save your anointed one.*1 You broke to pieces the head one out of the house of the wicked one. There was a laying of the foundation bare, clear up to the neck. Seʹlah.

  1. “Your anointed one.” Heb., meshi·cheʹkha; LXXBagster(Gr.), khri·stonʹ; Lat., chriʹsto.

14 With his own rods you pierced [the] head of his warriors [when] they moved tempestuously to scatter me. Their high glee was as of those bent on devouring an afflicted one in a place of concealment.

15 Through the sea you trod [with] your horses, [through] the heap of vast waters.

16 I heard, and my belly began to be agitated; at the sound my lips quivered; rottenness began to enter into my bones; and in my situation I was agitated, that I should quietly wait for*1 the day of distress, for [his] coming up to the people, [that] he may raid them.

  1. “I should wail (lament) before,” KB, p. 602.

17 Although [the] fig tree itself may not blossom, and there may be no yield on the vines; the work of [the] olive tree may actually turn out a failure, and the terraces themselves may actually produce no food; [the] flock may actually be severed from [the] pen, and there may be no herd in the enclosures;

18 Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God*1 of my salvation.

  1. “In the God of.” Heb., bEʼ·lo·hehʹ.

19 Jehovah the Sovereign Lord is my vital energy; and he will make my feet like those of the hinds, and upon my high places he will cause me to tread.

To the director on my stringed instruments.