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The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
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it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
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Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.
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Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
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Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
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to deprive them of justice— would not the Lord see such things?
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Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
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Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?
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Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say:
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“We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.
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“You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us; you have slain without pity.
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You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.
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You have made us scum and refuse among the nations.
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We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.”
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Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed.
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until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.
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What I see brings grief to my soul because of all the women of my city.
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They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me;
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You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
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Lord, you have seen the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause!
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You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me.
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Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs.
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How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.
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Because of thirst the infant’s tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them.
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Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps.
