{N}1,{/}1: Two complaints from the prophet and two answers from God:
- 1:1-4. First complaint: Why so much wickedness in Judah?
- 1:5-11. God's ironic answer Shortly the Chaldeans will restore order by invading and plundering everything.
- 1:12-16. Second complaint: Why does Yahweh use such means as the Chaldean invasion to restore his justice?
- 2:1-4. Yahweh's answer: One day it will be clear that the good and the evil are not treated the same. Those who remain faithful will be saved.

{N}2,{/}1: The divine answer remains mysterious. Later, God will clearly reveal how he rewards the just beyond this life. Before that moment comes it was difficult to clarify the mystery: Apparently the misfortunes which were announced as God's punishment affected everyone equally. After Habakkuk, Jeremiah asked the same question (Jer 12:1); faced with the unbelief of his companions, Ezekiel tried to reaffirm the justice of Yahweh towards everyone (Ezk18); the Book of Job looks for the solution; but its answer will only be partial.

{N}2,{/}6: Habakkuk reveals the destiny of the conqueror who, for a while, will terrorize the world. 
The Assyrians have used weapons to overpower nations, just as other conquerors in history have dominated by their technological advances. They have taken over the control of trade, natural resources from which they take a large portion in the name of services which we can no longer do without. They have imposed their religion, their culture and their own style of development. Uprooted from their slower rhythm of growth, or from their wiser but less efficient civilization, or from their more nonchalant lifestyle, these dominated people now lag behind the powerful of their time, running the risk of losing their souls and of ending up in the garbage bin of history. Habakkuk announces the judgment of God.
The last verse: {C}Yahweh lives in his holy Temple: let the whole earth be silent before him! {/}introduces the triumphant manifestation of Yahweh in the following chapter.

{N}3,{/}1: The prophet calls on Yahweh begging him to reveal himself. Then he describes his triumphant coming through a series of poetic images, recalling his past interventions in the history of Israel: the passage through the Red Sea, Sinai, Deborah's victory.
{C}I wait confidently for the day of distress {/}(see Is 8:11). {C}Yet in God my Savior will I exult: {/}these words are found in Mary's canticle (Lk 1:47). In the midst of crises and anguish, the just one {C}walks upon the heights{/} (v. 19).

