Psalm 137

New International Version

Psalm 137

¹By the rivers of Babylon^(A) we sat and wept^(B)
    when we remembered Zion.^(C)
²There on the poplars^(D)
    we hung our harps,^(E)
³for there our captors^(F) asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded^(G) songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”^(H)

⁴How can we sing the songs of the Lord^(I)
    while in a foreign land?
⁵If I forget you,^(J) Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
⁶May my tongue cling to the roof^(K) of my mouth
    if I do not remember^(L) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem^(M)
    my highest joy.

⁷Remember, Lord, what the Edomites^(N) did
    on the day Jerusalem fell.^(O)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
    “tear it down to its foundations!”^(P)
⁸Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,^(Q)
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
⁹Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them^(R) against the rocks.

Lamentations 1:16-22

New International Version

¹⁶“This is why I weep
    and my eyes overflow with tears.^(A)
No one is near to comfort^(B) me,
    no one to restore my spirit.
My children are destitute
    because the enemy has prevailed.”^(C)

¹⁷Zion stretches out her hands,^(D)
    but there is no one to comfort her.
The Lord has decreed for Jacob
    that his neighbors become his foes;^(E)
Jerusalem has become
    an unclean^(F) thing^(G) among them.

¹⁸“The Lord is righteous,^(H)
    yet I rebelled^(I) against his command.
Listen, all you peoples;
    look on my suffering.^(J)
My young men and young women
    have gone into exile.^(K)

¹⁹“I called to my allies^(L)
    but they betrayed me.
My priests and my elders
    perished^(M) in the city
while they searched for food
    to keep themselves alive.

²⁰“See, Lord, how distressed^(N) I am!
    I am in torment^(O) within,
and in my heart I am disturbed,^(P)
    for I have been most rebellious.^(Q)
Outside, the sword bereaves;
    inside, there is only death.^(R)

²¹“People have heard my groaning,^(S)
    but there is no one to comfort me.^(T)
All my enemies have heard of my distress;
    they rejoice^(U) at what you have done.
May you bring the day^(V) you have announced
    so they may become like me.

²²“Let all their wickedness come before you;
    deal with them
as you have dealt with me
    because of all my sins.^(W)
My groans^(X) are many
    and my heart is faint.”

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James 1:2-11

New International Version

Trials and Temptations

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^(A) ³because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^(C) ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,^(E) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.^(F) ⁶But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,^(G) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸Such a person is double-minded^(H) and unstable^(I) in all they do.

⁹Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.^(J) ¹⁰But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.^(K) ¹¹For the sun rises with scorching heat^(L) and withers^(M) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.^(N) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

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Footnotes

James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.