Lamentations 3:26-47

26It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of Adonai.

27It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.

28Let him sit alone and be silent, since He has laid it upon him.

29Let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope.

30Let him offer his cheek to the one who strikes him. Let him have his fill of disgrace.

31For the Lord will not reject forever.

32For though He has caused grief, yet He will have compassion according to His abundant mercies.

33For He does not afflict from His heart or grieve the sons of men.

34To crush under His foot all the prisoners of the land,

35to deprive a person of justice before the face of Elyon,

36to defraud a person in his lawsuit— would the Lord not see?

37Who speaks and it comes to pass unless the Lord has decreed it?

38Is it not from the mouth of Elyon that both calamities and good things proceed?

39Why should any living person complain when punished for his sins?

40Let us examine and test our ways, and let us return to Adonai.

41Let us lift up our heart and hands to God in heaven.

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

43You covered Yourself with anger and pursued us. You have slain without pity.

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

45You have made us scum and refuse in the midst of the peoples.

46All our enemies opened their mouth wide against us.

47Panic and pitfall have befallen us, devastation and destruction.