Hab 1:6 | NETfull | STEP | Look, I am about to empower the Babylonians, that ruthless and greedy nation. They sweep across the surface of the earth, seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.

Habakkuk 1:6

6 Look, I am about to empower ^{▼▼ Heb “raise up” (so KJV, ASV).} the Babylonians,
that ruthless ^{▼▼ Heb “bitter.” Other translation options for this word in this context include “fierce” (NASB, NRSV); “savage” (NEB); or “grim.”} and greedy ^{▼▼ Heb “hasty, quick.” Some translate here “impetuous” (so NEB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or “rash,” but in this context greed may very well be the idea. The Babylonians move quickly and recklessly ahead in their greedy quest to expand their empire.} nation.
They sweep across the surface ^{▼▼ Heb “the open spaces.”} of the earth,
seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.