Lamentations 3:1-13

1“I am the man who has experienced suffering under the rod of God’s fury.

2God has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light.

3He beat me again and again all day long.

4He has made my flesh and my skin waste away. He has broken my bones.

5He has attacked me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.

6He has made me live in darkness, like those who died a long time ago.

7He has blocked me so that I can’t get out. He has put heavy chains on me.

8Even when I cry and call for help, he shuts out my prayer.

9He has blocked my way with cut stones and made my paths crooked.

10He is like a bear waiting to ambush me, like a lion in hiding.

11He has forced me off the road I was taking, torn me to pieces, and left me with nothing.

12He has drawn his bow and made me the target for his arrows.

13He has shot the arrows from his quiver into my heart.