Lamentations 3:19-42

New International Version

¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness^(A) and the gall.^(B)
20 I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast^(C) within me.^(D)
21 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the Lord’s great love^(E) we are not consumed,^(F)
    for his compassions never fail.^(G)
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.^(H)
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;^(I)
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;^(J)
26 it is good to wait quietly^(K)
    for the salvation of the Lord.^(L)
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
    while he is young.

²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence,^(M)
    for the Lord has laid it on him.
²⁹ Let him bury his face in the dust^(N)—
    there may yet be hope.^(O)
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,^(P)
    and let him be filled with disgrace.^(Q)

³¹ For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.^(R)
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.^(S)
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.^(T)

³⁴ To crush underfoot
    all prisoners in the land,
³⁵ to deny people their rights
    before the Most High,^(U)
36 to deprive them of justice—
    would not the Lord see such things?^(V)

³⁷ Who can speak and have it happen
    if the Lord has not decreed it?^(W)
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that both calamities and good things come?^(X)
39 Why should the living complain
    when punished for their sins?^(Y)

⁴⁰ Let us examine our ways and test them,^(Z)
    and let us return to the Lord.^(AA)
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
    to God in heaven,^(AB) and say:
⁴² “We have sinned and rebelled^(AC)
    and you have not forgiven.^(AD)