Habukkuk 1

⁸ Their horses are faster than leopards and quicker than wolves at sunset. Their horse soldiers attack quickly; they come from places far away. They attack quickly, like an eagle swooping down for food.
⁹ They all come to fight. Nothing can stop them. Their prisoners are as many as the grains of sand.
¹⁰ They laugh at kings and make fun of rulers. They laugh at all the strong, walled cities and build dirt piles to the top of the walls to capture them.
¹¹ Then they leave like the wind and move on. They are guilty of worshiping their own strength."
¹² Lord, you live forever, my God, my holy God. We will not die. Lord, you have chosen the Babylonians to punish people; our Rock, you picked them to punish.

¹³ Your eyes are too good to look at evil; you cannot stand to see those who do wrong. So how can you put up with those evil people?

^13b How can you be quiet when the wicked swallow up people who are better than they are?
¹⁴ You treat people like fish in the sea, like sea animals without a leader.
¹⁵ The enemy brings them in with hooks. He catches them in his net and drags them in his fishnet. So he rejoices and sings for joy.
¹⁶ The enemy offers sacrifices to his net and burns incense to worship it, because it lets him live like the rich and enjoy the best food. (NCV)
¹⁷ Will he keep on taking riches with his net? Will he go on destroying people without showing mercy? (NCV)

Psalm 5

¹ O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you.
³ Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

⁴ O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
⁵ Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.
⁶ You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers.

⁷ Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
⁸ Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
⁹ My enemies cannot speak one truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with flattery.
¹⁰ O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they rebel against you.
¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
¹² For you bless the godly, O LORD, surrounding them with your shield of love. (NLT)