Lamentations 3:28-45

New International Version

²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence,^(A)
    for the Lord has laid it on him.
²⁹ Let him bury his face in the dust^(B)—
    there may yet be hope.^(C)
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,^(D)
    and let him be filled with disgrace.^(E)

³¹ For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.^(F)
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.^(G)
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.^(H)

³⁴ To crush underfoot
    all prisoners in the land,
³⁵ to deny people their rights
    before the Most High,^(I)
36 to deprive them of justice—
    would not the Lord see such things?^(J)

³⁷ Who can speak and have it happen
    if the Lord has not decreed it?^(K)
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that both calamities and good things come?^(L)
39 Why should the living complain
    when punished for their sins?^(M)

⁴⁰ Let us examine our ways and test them,^(N)
    and let us return to the Lord.^(O)
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
    to God in heaven,^(P) and say:
⁴² “We have sinned and rebelled^(Q)
    and you have not forgiven.^(R)

⁴³ “You have covered yourself with anger and pursued^(S) us;
    you have slain without pity.^(T)
44 You have covered yourself with a cloud^(U)
    so that no prayer^(V) can get through.^(W)
45 You have made us scum^(X) and refuse
    among the nations.