Definition: Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from the book of Habakkuk. It's a really powerful and thought-provoking passage about injustice and suffering. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is basically saying, “You’re showing me terrible things – like people being cruel and fighting constantly – and I’m struggling to see it. I’m being held up to your awful reality.” Let's unpack the words: “Habakkuk 1:3” : This is the name of the verse itself, which gives us a little context – Habakkuk was a prophet who lived during a time of great trouble in Babylon. “Why dost thou shew me iniquity…” : This means "why do you show me evil?" or “why are you revealing my terrible actions?” "Iniquity" is a fancy word for ‘evil’ – it refers to something like dishonesty, wickedness, or immoral behavior. “…and cause [me] to behold grievance?” : This is a key part. "Grievance" means a feeling of pain, suffering, or wrong that someone feels about something that's happened. “Cause me to behold” – literally, “cause me to see” – means “cause me to witness.” It’s like saying you want me to see the reality of this situation. “For spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention.” : This is the core of the message. "Spoiling" means causing harm or making things worse – like breaking promises, lying, or hurting others. “Violence” refers to fighting, aggression, and conflict. “That are raise up strife and contention” – this means that these things are actively creating conflict, arguing, and damaging relationships between people. So, what’s the overall message? Habakkuk is expressing deep frustration and worry because he sees a lot of bad things happening. He feels like God isn't protecting his people or stopping the violence. He's essentially asking: "Why are you allowing this to happen?" It suggests a sense of helplessness and perhaps even fear – that something terrible is coming. In short, it’s a plea for justice and a warning about the potential for conflict. --- Important Note: This is a relatively complex passage, and there's a lot of theological interpretation involved. But hopefully, this explanation provides a good starting point to understand the core message of Habakkuk 1:3. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to other biblical stories or themes?