Habakkuk 2:12 kjva — Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

King James Version with Apocrypha

"Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"

— Habakkuk 2:12, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Habakkuk 2:12 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Habakkuk 2 — Context

9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

10

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.

11

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

13

Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

15

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Habakkuk 2:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Habakkuk 2:12 say?
Habakkuk 2:12 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!”
Where is Habakkuk 2:12 in the Bible?
Habakkuk 2:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Habakkuk, chapter 2, verse 12.
Who wrote Habakkuk?
Habakkuk is traditionally attributed to Habakkuk. It was written c. 612–589 BC.
What is the book of Habakkuk about?
Habakkuk dares to argue with God about injustice — and God answers. The prophet learns that the just shall live by faith, and the book ends with one of Scripture's great hymns of trust: "yet I will rejoice in the LORD."
What are the major themes of Habakkuk?
Habakkuk explores themes including Faith, Justice, Trust, Sovereignty, Joy in Trial. These themes shape the meaning and context of Habakkuk 2:12.
What translation should I read Habakkuk 2:12 in?
Habakkuk 2:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Habakkuk 2:12?
Habakkuk 2:12 reads (KJVA): “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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