Five Woes Against the Empire of Violence

God's reply to Habakkuk includes five savage 'woe' oracles against Babylon — each one a precise indictment. 'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion.' 'Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain.' 'Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice.' 'Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.' The last: 'Woe to him who says to wood, Come to life! or to a lifeless stone, Wake up! — Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.' Then the silence: 'The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.'