Lamentations 3:37-58
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
37 Who can command and have it done,
if the Lord has not ordained it?(A)
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that evil and good come?(B)
39 Why should any who draw breath complain
about the punishment of their sins?(C)
40 Let us test and examine our ways
and return to the Lord.(D)
41 Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands
to God in heaven.(E)
42 We have transgressed and rebelled,
and you have not forgiven.(F)
43 You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us,
killing without pity;(G)
44 you have wrapped yourself with a cloud
so that no prayer can pass through.
45 You have made us filth and rubbish
among the peoples.(H)
46 All our enemies
have opened their mouths against us;(I)
47 panic and pitfall have come upon us,
devastation and destruction.(J)
48 My eyes flow with rivers of tears
because of the destruction of my people.[a]
49 My eyes will flow without ceasing,
without respite,(K)
50 until the Lord from heaven
looks down and sees.(L)
51 My eyes cause me grief
at the fate of all the young women in my city.
52 Those who were my enemies without cause
have hunted me like a bird;(M)
53 they flung me alive into a pit
and hurled stones on me;(N)
54 water closed over my head;
I said, “I am lost.”(O)
55 I called on your name, O Lord,
from the depths of the pit;(P)
56 you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear
to my cry for help, but give me relief!”(Q)
57 You came near when I called on you;
you said, “Do not fear!”(R)
58 You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
you have redeemed my life.(S)
Footnotes
- 3.48 Heb the daughter of my people
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.