Habakkuk 2:13

Habakkuk 2:13 in 6 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

13Has not the Lord Almighty determined

that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire,

that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

13“Is it not indeed from the Lord of armies

That peoples labor merely for fire,

And nations become weary for nothing?

13Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts

That peoples toil for fire,

And nations grow weary for nothing?

13“Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts

That peoples labor [only] for the fire [that will destroy their work],

And nations grow weary for nothing [that is, things which have no lasting value]?

13Is it not indeed from the Lord of Hosts

that the labor of the people only feeds the fire,

and the nations weary themselves in vain?

13I am the Lord who rules over all.

Human effort is no better than wood that feeds a fire.

So the nations wear themselves out for nothing.