Lamentations 3:31-57 NIV

Lamentations 3:31-57 NIV [31] For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. [32] Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. [33] For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. [34] To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, [35] to deny people their rights before the Most High, [36] to deprive them of justice—would not the Lord see such things? [37] Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? [38] Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? [39] Why should the living complain when punished for their sins? [40] Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. [41] Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: [42] “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven. [43] “You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us; you have slain without pity. [44] You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through. [45] You have made us scum and refuse among the nations. [46] “All our enemies have opened their mouths wide against us. [47] We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.” [48] Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. [49] My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, [50] until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees. [51] What I see brings grief to my soul because of all the women of my city. [52] Those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird. [53] They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me; [54] the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish. [55] I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. [56] You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” [57] You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

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