Open English Translation HAB Chapter 2

2 Yahweh responded, saying:

“Write this vision clearly onto tablets so that messengers can run with them and read them aloud. 3 This vision is for a future time, but in the end anyone waiting for it will see it happen, because when it comes, it won’t delay.[ref]

4 Listen, those who don’t have noble desires are puffed up,

but godly people live by their faith.[ref]

5 Wine betrays the arrogant man so that he won’t rest.

His appetite becomes like the cemetery—always wanting more,

and like death which is never satisfied.

The invader takes over all the nations,

≈ and captures every people group.

6 Won’t all those peoples create a saying to ridicule the invader and a taunting song and riddles about him? They’ll say ‘It won’t end well for those who take what doesn’t belong to them. As you take more and more, it will become heavier and heavier for you.’

7 Won’t those you’ve taken from suddenly organise themselves—

won’t you tremble when they wake up?

Then you’ll become spoil for them

8 because you’ve plundered many nations.

All the remnants of the nations will plunder you because you’ve taken lives

and acted with violence against the land and cities, and everyone who lives in them.

9 It won’t end well for anyone who’s used evil gains to furnish his house.

He wanted to set his nest on high to keep himself safe from the hand of evil,

10 but because you’ve destroyed many nations,

you’ve brought guilt onto yourself.

11 The stones in the wall will cry out,

and the timber rafters will answer them.

12 It won’t end well for anyone who builds a city with blood,

or who establishes a town with wickedness.

13 Listen, isn’t it Commander-in-chief Yahweh who ensures that

those peoples are just playing with fire

and those nations will just get exhausted from their efforts?

14 The world will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh’s splendour

as surely as the oceans are filled with water.[ref]

15 It won’t end well for anyone (nation) who forces their neighbour to drink—

you’ll pour your anger out on them to make them drunk

so that their nakedness becomes exposed.

16 You’ll be filled with shame instead of honour.

Now it’s your turn—drink and then your uncircumcision will be exposed.

The cup in Yahweh’s powerful right hand is coming around to you,

and your honour will be covered over with disgrace.

17 The violence done to Lebanon will bounce back and overwhelm you,

and the destruction of animals will terrify you,

because you’ve taken lives

and you’ve acted with violence against the land and the cities, and everyone who lives in them.

18 How can an idol profit you when it was just formed and shaped by its human maker?

It’s a teacher of lies because its maker uses his own imagination when he makes these speechless ‘gods’.

19 It won’t end well for whoever tells the piece of wood to wake up,

or for the one who tells that speechless stone to stand up.

Can these things teach?

Yes, it might be plated with valuable gold and silver,

but there’s absolutely no life in it.

20 In contrast, Yahweh is in his sacred temple.

Let everyone in the world be silent in his presence.