Verse Comparison: Habakkuk 1:4
American Standard Version
Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.
Amplified® Bible
Therefore the law is slackened and justice {and} a righteous sentence never go forth, for the [hostility of the] wicked surrounds the [uncompromisingly] righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.
Contemporary English Version
Laws cannot be enforced; justice is always the loser; criminals crowd out honest people and twist the laws around.
Darby English Version
Therefore the law is powerless, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked encompasseth the righteous; therefore judgment goeth forth perverted.
Good News Bible
The law is weak and useless, and justice is never done. Evil people get the better of the righteous, and so justice is perverted.
King James Version
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
New American Standard Bible
Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.
New International Version
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
New King James Version
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Therefore the people ignore the law And no one ever uphold justice For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.
Revised Standard Version
So the law is slacked and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted.
Young's Literal Translation
Therefore doth law cease, And judgment doth not go forth for ever, For the wicked is compassing the righteous, Therefore wrong judgment goeth forth.