Lamentations 3:26-47

26It is good to wait patiently for deliverance from the Lord.

27It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. י (Yod)

28Let a person sit alone in silence, when the Lord is disciplining him.

29Let him bury his face in the dust; perhaps there is hope.

30Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him; let him have his fill of insults. כ (Kaf)

31For the Lord will not reject us forever.

32Though he causes us grief, he then has compassion on us according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.

33For he is not predisposed to afflict or to grieve people. ל (Lamed)

34To crush underfoot all the earth’s prisoners,

35to deprive a person of his rights in the presence of the Most High,

36to defraud a person in a lawsuit – the Lord does not approve of such things! מ (Mem)

37Whose command was ever fulfilled unless the Lord decreed it?

38Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that everything comes – both calamity and blessing?

39Why should any living person complain when punished for his sins? נ (Nun)

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

41Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven:

42“We have blatantly rebelled; you have not forgiven.” ס (Samek)

43You shrouded yourself with anger and then pursued us; you killed without mercy.

44You shrouded yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.

45You make us like filthy scum in the estimation of the nations. פ (Pe)

46All our enemies have gloated over us;

47Panic and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction.