Lamentations 3:1–20

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. ²He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light. ³Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day. ⁴My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. ⁵He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. ⁶He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. ⁷He hath walled me about, that I cannot go forth; he hath made my chain heavy. ⁸Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer. ⁹He hath walled up my ways with hewn stone; he hath made my paths crooked. ¹⁰He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places. ¹¹He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate. ¹²He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. ¹³He hath caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins. ¹⁴I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day. ¹⁵He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood. ¹⁶He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he hath covered me with ashes. ¹⁷And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity. ¹⁸And I said, My strength is perished, and mine expectation from Jehovah.

¹⁹Remember mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. ²⁰My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.