Lamentations 3:22-51
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,[a]
his mercies never come to an end;(A)
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.(B)
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”(C)
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.(D)
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.(E)
27 It is good for one to bear
the yoke in youth,(F)
28 to sit alone in silence
when the Lord[b] has imposed it,(G)
29 to put one’s mouth to the dust
(there may yet be hope),
30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter
and be filled with insults.(H)
31 For the Lord will not
reject forever.(I)
32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;(J)
33 for he does not willingly afflict
or grieve anyone.(K)
34 When all the prisoners of the land
are crushed under foot,
35 when justice is perverted
in the presence of the Most High,(L)
36 when one’s case is subverted—
does the Lord not see it?(M)
37 Who can command and have it done,
if the Lord has not ordained it?(N)
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that evil and good come?(O)
39 Why should any who draw breath complain
about the punishment of their sins?(P)
40 Let us test and examine our ways
and return to the Lord.(Q)
41 Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands
to God in heaven.(R)
42 We have transgressed and rebelled,
and you have not forgiven.(S)
43 You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us,
killing without pity;(T)
44 you have wrapped yourself with a cloud
so that no prayer can pass through.
45 You have made us filth and rubbish
among the peoples.(U)
46 All our enemies
have opened their mouths against us;(V)
47 panic and pitfall have come upon us,
devastation and destruction.(W)
48 My eyes flow with rivers of tears
because of the destruction of my people.[c]
49 My eyes will flow without ceasing,
without respite,(X)
50 until the Lord from heaven
looks down and sees.(Y)
51 My eyes cause me grief
at the fate of all the young women in my city.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.