Habakkuk 1:4

For this reason the law lacks power, ¹  and justice is never carried out. ²  Indeed, ³  the wicked intimidate ⁴  the innocent. ⁵  For this reason justice is perverted. ⁶ 

Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.

The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.

Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.

For this reason the law is feeble and decisions are not effected: for the upright man is circled round by evil-doers; because of which right is twisted.

So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous—therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

¹ tn Heb “the law is numb,” i.e., like a hand that has “fallen asleep” (see Ps 77:2). Cf. NAB “is benumbed”; NIV “is paralyzed.”

² tn Heb “never goes out.”

³ tn Or “for.”

⁴ tn Heb “surround” (so NASB, NRSV).

⁵ tn Or “righteous” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

⁶ tn Heb “comes out crooked.”