Lamentations

I am the man who has seen affliction
by the rod of his wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk
in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me
again and again, all day long…

He has besieged me and surrounded me
with bitterness and hardship.
He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

He has walled me in so I cannot escape;
he has weighed me down with chains.
Even when I call out or cry for help,
he shuts out my prayer.
He has barred my way with blocks of stone;
he has made my paths crooked…

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of Yahweh’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “Yahweh is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

Yahweh is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of Yahweh.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence,
for Yahweh has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust-
there may yet be hope.
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.

For men are not cast off
by Yahweh forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.

Lamentations 3