3Lamentations 3

There Is Still Hope / The Prophet Speaks:

1I have suffered much because God was angry.Select Lamentations 3:1

2He chased me into a dark place, where no light could enter.Select Lamentations 3:2

3I am the only one he punishes over and over again, without ever stopping.Select Lamentations 3:3

4God caused my skin and flesh to waste away, and he crushed my bones.Select Lamentations 3:4

5He attacked and surrounded me with hardships and trouble;Select Lamentations 3:5

6he forced me to sit in the dark like someone long dead.Select Lamentations 3:6

7God built a fence around me that I cannot climb over, and he chained me down.Select Lamentations 3:7

8Even when I shouted and prayed for help, he refused to listen.Select Lamentations 3:8

9God put big rocks in my way and made me follow a crooked path.Select Lamentations 3:9

10God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me;Select Lamentations 3:10

11he dragged me from the road, then tore me to shreds.Select Lamentations 3:11

12God took careful aim and shot his arrowsSelect Lamentations 3:12

13straight through my heart.Select Lamentations 3:13

14I am a joke to everyone— no one ever stops making fun of me.Select Lamentations 3:14

15God has turned my life sour.Select Lamentations 3:15

16He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt.Select Lamentations 3:16

17I cannot find peace or remember happiness.Select Lamentations 3:17

18I tell myself, “I am finished! I can't count on the Lord to do anything for me.”Select Lamentations 3:18

19Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable.Select Lamentations 3:19

20That's all I ever think about, and I am depressed.Select Lamentations 3:20

21Then I remember something that fills me with hope.Select Lamentations 3:21

22The Lord's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.Select Lamentations 3:22

23The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.Select Lamentations 3:23

24Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!”Select Lamentations 3:24

25The Lord is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him.Select Lamentations 3:25

26It is good to wait patiently for the Lord to save us.Select Lamentations 3:26

27When we are young, it is good to struggle hardSelect Lamentations 3:27

28and to sit silently alone, if this is what the Lord intends.Select Lamentations 3:28

29Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson;Select Lamentations 3:29

30we can also learn from insults and hard knocks.Select Lamentations 3:30

31The Lord won't always reject us!Select Lamentations 3:31

32He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love.Select Lamentations 3:32

33The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain.Select Lamentations 3:33

34Don't trample prisoners under your feetSelect Lamentations 3:34

35or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything,Select Lamentations 3:35

36and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial.Select Lamentations 3:36

37No one can do anything without the Lord's approval.Select Lamentations 3:37

38Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High.Select Lamentations 3:38

39We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins.Select Lamentations 3:39

40Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the Lord.Select Lamentations 3:40

41When we lift our hands in prayer to God in heaven, we should offer him our hearts and say,Select Lamentations 3:41

42“We've sinned! We've rebelled against you, and you haven't forgiven us!Select Lamentations 3:42

43Anger is written all over you, as you pursue and slaughter us without showing pity.Select Lamentations 3:43

44You are behind a wall of clouds that blocks out our prayers.Select Lamentations 3:44

45You allowed nations to treat us like garbage;Select Lamentations 3:45

46our enemies curse us.Select Lamentations 3:46

47We are terrified and trapped, caught and crushed.”Select Lamentations 3:47

48My people are destroyed! Tears flood my eyes,Select Lamentations 3:48

49and they won't stopSelect Lamentations 3:49

50until the Lord looks down from heaven and helps.Select Lamentations 3:50

51I am horrified when I see what enemies have done to the young women of our city.Select Lamentations 3:51

52No one had reason to hate me, but I was hunted down like a bird.Select Lamentations 3:52

53Then they tried to kill me by tossing me into a pit and throwing stones at me.Select Lamentations 3:53

54Water covered my head— I thought I was gone.Select Lamentations 3:54

55From the bottom of the pit, I prayed to you, Lord.Select Lamentations 3:55

56I begged you to listen. “Help!” I shouted. “Save me!” You answered my prayerSelect Lamentations 3:56

57and came when I was in need. You told me, “Don't worry!”Select Lamentations 3:57

58You rescued me and saved my life.Select Lamentations 3:58

59You saw them abuse me, Lord, so make things right.Select Lamentations 3:59

60You know every plot they have made against me.Select Lamentations 3:60

61Yes, you know their insults and their evil plans.Select Lamentations 3:61

62All day long they attack with words and whispers.Select Lamentations 3:62

63No matter what they are doing, they keep on mocking me.Select Lamentations 3:63

64Pay them back for everything they have done, Lord!Select Lamentations 3:64

65Put your curse on them and make them suffer.Select Lamentations 3:65

66Get angry and go after them until not a trace is left under the heavens.Select Lamentations 3:66