Lamentations 3:1-13 ▼

1 I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath.

2 He has driven me away and forced me to walk in darkness instead of light.

3 Yes, he repeatedly turns his hand against me all day long.

4 He has worn away my flesh and skin; he has broken my bones.

5 He has laid siege against me, encircling me with bitterness and hardship.

6 He has made me dwell in darkness like those who have been dead for ages.

7 He has walled me in so I cannot get out; he has weighed me down with chains.

8 Even when I cry out and plead for help, he blocks out my prayer.

9 He has walled in my ways with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.

10 He is a bear waiting in ambush, a lion in hiding.

11 He forced me off my way and tore me to pieces; he left me desolate.

12 He strung his bow and set me as the target for his arrow.

13 He pierced my kidneys with shafts from his quiver.