Lamentations 3:26-47

26“It is good to continue to hope and wait silently for the Lord to save us.

27It is good for people to endure burdens when they’re young.

28They should sit alone and remain silent because the Lord has laid these burdens on them.

29They should put their mouths in the dust. Maybe a reason to hope exists.

30They should turn their cheeks to the one who strikes them and take their fill of insults.

31“The Lord will not reject ⌞such⌟ people forever.

32Even if he makes us suffer, he will have compassion in keeping with the richness of his mercy.

33He does not willingly bring suffering or grief to anyone,

34crush any prisoner on earth underfoot,

35deny people their rights in the presence of the Most High God,

36or deprive people of justice in court. The Lord isn’t happy to see ⌞these things⌟.

37Who was it who spoke and it came into being? It was the Lord who gave the order.

38Both good and bad come from the mouth of the Most High God.

39“Why should any living mortal (any person) complain about being punished for sin?

40Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return to the Lord.

41Let us raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven.

42“We have been disobedient and rebellious. You haven’t forgiven us.

43You covered yourself with anger and pursued us. You killed without pity.

44You covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer could get through it.

45You made us the scum and trash of the nations.

46All our enemies gawk at us.

47Panic and pitfalls have found us, so have devastation and destruction.