Lamentations 3:1-17

New International Version

3 ^[a]I am the man who has seen affliction^(A)
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.^(B)
2 He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness^(C) rather than light;
³ indeed, he has turned his hand against me^(D)
    again and again, all day long.

⁴ He has made my skin and my flesh grow old^(E)
    and has broken my bones.^(F)
5 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness^(G) and hardship.^(H)
6 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead.^(I)

⁷ He has walled me in so I cannot escape;^(J)
    he has weighed me down with chains.^(K)
8 Even when I call out or cry for help,^(L)
    he shuts out my prayer.^(M)
9 He has barred^(N) my way with blocks of stone;
    he has made my paths crooked.^(O)

¹⁰ Like a bear lying in wait,
    like a lion^(P) in hiding,^(Q)
11 he dragged me from the path and mangled^(R) me
    and left me without help.
¹² He drew his bow^(S)
    and made me the target^(T) for his arrows.^(U)

¹³ He pierced^(V) my heart
    with arrows from his quiver.^(W)
14 I became the laughingstock^(X) of all my people;^(Y)
    they mock me in song^(Z) all day long.
¹⁵ He has filled me with bitter herbs
    and given me gall to drink.^(AA)

¹⁶ He has broken my teeth with gravel;^(AB)
    he has trampled me in the dust.^(AC)
17 I have been deprived of peace;
    I have forgotten what prosperity is.