Lamentations 3:1-66 CSB

[1] I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God's wrath. [2] He has driven me away and forced me to walk in darkness instead of light. [3] Yes, he repeatedly turns his hand against me all day long. [4] He has worn away my flesh and skin; he has broken my bones. [5] He has laid siege against me, encircling me with bitterness and hardship. [6] He has made me dwell in darkness like those who have been dead for ages. [7] He has walled me in so I cannot get out; he has weighed me down with chains. [8] Even when I cry out and plead for help, he blocks out my prayer. [9] He has walled in my ways with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked. [10] He is a bear waiting in ambush, a lion in hiding. [11] He forced me off my way and tore me to pieces; he left me desolate. [12] He strung his bow and set me as the target for his arrow. [13] He pierced my kidneys with shafts from his quiver. [14] I am a laughingstock to all my people, mocked by their songs all day long. [15] He filled me with bitterness, satiated me with wormwood. [16] He ground my teeth with gravel and made me cower in the dust. [17] I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. [18] Then I thought, "My future is lost, as well as my hope from the LORD." [19] Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. [20] I continually remember them and have become depressed. [21] Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: [22] Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! [24] I say, "The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him." [25] The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. [26] It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. [27] It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young. [28] Let him sit alone and be silent, for God has disciplined him. [29] Let him put his mouth in the dust- perhaps there is still hope. [30] Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with disgrace. [31] For the Lord will not reject us forever. [32] Even if he causes suffering, he will show compassion according to the abundance of his faithful love. [33] For he does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind. [34] Crushing all the prisoners of the land beneath one's feet, [35] denying justice to a man in the presence of the Most High, [36] or subverting a person in his lawsuit- the Lord does not approve of these things. [37] Who is there who speaks and it happens, unless the Lord has ordained it? [38] Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High? [39] Why should any living person complain, any man, because of the punishment for his sins? [40] Let's examine and probe our ways, and turn back to the LORD. [41] Let's lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven: [42] "We have sinned and rebelled; you have not forgiven. [43] "You have covered yourself in anger and pursued us; you have killed without compassion. [44] You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through. [45] You have made us disgusting filth among the peoples. [46] "All our enemies open their mouths against us. [47] We have experienced panic and pitfall, devastation and destruction." [48] My eyes flow with streams of tears because of the destruction of my dear people. [49] My eyes overflow unceasingly, without end, [50] until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees. [51] My eyes bring me grief because of the fate of all the women in my city. [52] For no reason, my enemies hunted me like a bird. [53] They smothered my life in a pit and threw stones on me. [54] Water flooded over my head, and I thought, "I'm going to die!" [55] I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. [56] You heard my plea: Do not ignore my cry for relief. [57] You came near whenever I called you; you said, "Do not be afraid." [58] You championed my cause, Lord; you redeemed my life. [59] LORD, you saw the wrong done to me; judge my case. [60] You saw all their vengefulness, all their plots against me. [61] LORD, you heard their insults, all their plots against me. [62] The slander and murmuring of my opponents attack me all day long. [63] When they sit and when they rise, look, I am mocked by their songs. [64] You will pay them back what they deserve, LORD, according to the work of their hands. [65] You will give them a heart filled with anguish. May your curse be on them! [66] You will pursue them in anger and destroy them under your heavens.