3 ^[a]I am the man who has seen affliction^(A)
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.^(B)
2 He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness^(C) rather than light;
³ indeed, he has turned his hand against me^(D)
    again and again, all day long.

⁴ He has made my skin and my flesh grow old^(E)
    and has broken my bones.^(F)
5 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness^(G) and hardship.^(H)
6 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead.^(I)

¹⁶ He has broken my teeth with gravel;^(A)
    he has trampled me in the dust.^(B)
17 I have been deprived of peace;
    I have forgotten what prosperity is.
¹⁸ So I say, “My splendor is gone
    and all that I had hoped from the Lord.”^(C)

¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness^(D) and the gall.^(E)
20 I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast^(F) within me.^(G)
21 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the Lord’s great love^(H) we are not consumed,^(I)
    for his compassions never fail.^(J)
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.^(K)
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;^(L)
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;^(M)