The Twelve Minor Prophets Justice and Judgment Quotes

How we cite our quotes:

Quote #4

Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and you cannot look on wrongdoing; why do you look on the treacherous, and are silent when the wicked swallow those more righteous than they? (NRSV Habakkuk 1:13)

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look upon iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? (KJV Habakkuk 1:13)

When Habakkuk says that God is so holy that he can’t even look at injustice, that’s not exactly a compliment. “Thou talkest a big game,” Habakkuk says, “but everywhere thou dost look things are pretty messed up.” Burn. God just got served. Maybe it’s because Habakkuk recognizes and condemns injustice when he sees it that God doesn’t smelt him for questioning his motives.

Quote #5

Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith. (NRSV Habakkuk 2:4)

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (KJV Habakkuk 2:4)

The verse that launched the Protestant Reformation. But what does it mean? For Martin Luther, believers become righteous in the eyes of God through their faith in Christ, not their own good works. However, the original Hebrew word for faith in this verse can refer to a person’s trustworthiness and fair dealing—in other words, righteous behavior. Uh oh.

Quote #6

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD’s wrath. (NRSV Zephaniah 2:3)

Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger. (KJV Zephaniah 2:3)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) — you didn’t think Jesus thought that up all by himself, did you?