Lamentations 3:26-47

26It is good that one waits quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

27It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke [of godly discipline] in his youth.

28Let him sit alone [in hope] and keep quiet, Because God has laid it on him [for his benefit].

29Let him put his mouth in the dust [in recognition of his unworthiness]; There may yet be hope.

30Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him; Let him be filled with reproach.

31For the Lord will not reject forever,

32For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness and tender mercy.

33For He does not afflict willingly and from His heart Or grieve the children of men.

34To trample and crush under His feet All the prisoners of the land,

35To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High,

36To defraud a man in his lawsuit— The Lord does not approve of these things.

37Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has authorized and commanded it?

38Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both adversity (misfortune) and good (prosperity, happiness) proceed?

39Why should any living mortal, or any man, Complain [of punishment] in view of his sins?

40Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the Lord.

41Let us lift up our hearts and our hands [in prayer] Toward God in heaven;

42We have transgressed and rebelled, You have not pardoned.

43You have covered Yourself with anger And pursued us; You have slain [without pity] and have not spared.

44You have covered Yourself with a cloud So that no prayer can pass through.

45You have made us scum and refuse Among the peoples (Gentile nations).

46All our enemies have gaped at us.

47Panic and pitfall (traps, danger) have come on us, Devastation and destruction.