Lamentations 3:1-13 ▼

1 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

2 He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.

3 Surely he turns his hand against me again and again all day long.

4 He has made my flesh and my skin old. He has broken my bones.

5 He has built against me, and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.

6 He has made me dwell in dark places, as those who have been long dead.

7 He has walled me about, so that I can’t go out. He has made my chain heavy.

8 Yes, when I cry, and call for help, he shuts out my prayer.

9 He has walled up my ways with cut stone. He has made my paths crooked.

10 He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in hiding.

11 He has turned away my path, and pulled me in pieces. He has made me desolate.

12 He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

13 He has caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my kidneys.