Lamentations 3:31–40

For the Lord will not

cast off forever,

for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not afflict from his heart

or grieve the children of men.

To crush underfoot

all the prisoners of the earth,

to deny a man justice

in the presence of the Most High,

to subvert a man in his lawsuit,

the Lord does not approve.

Who has spoken and it came to pass,

unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that good and bad come?

Why should a living man complain,

a man, about the punishment of his sins?

Let us test and examine our ways,

and return to the Lord!

For no one is cast off

by the Lord forever.

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to anyone.

To crush underfoot

all prisoners in the land,

to deny people their rights

before the Most High,

to deprive them of justice—

would not the Lord see such things?

Who can speak and have it happen

if the Lord has not decreed it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that both calamities and good things come?

Why should the living complain

when punished for their sins?

Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the Lord.

For the Lord

will not reject us forever.

Even if he causes suffering,

he will show compassion

according to the abundance of his faithful love.

For he does not enjoy bringing affliction

or suffering on mankind.

Crushing all the prisoners of the land

beneath one’s feet,

denying justice to a man

in the presence of the Most High,

or subverting a person in his lawsuit —

the Lord does not approve of these things.

Who is there who speaks and it happens,

unless the Lord has ordained it?

Do not both adversity and good

come from the mouth of the Most High?

Why should any living person complain,

any man, because of the punishment for his sins?

Let’s examine and probe our ways,

and turn back to the Lord.

For no one is abandoned

by the Lord forever.

Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion

because of the greatness of his unfailing love.

For he does not enjoy hurting people

or causing them sorrow.

If people crush underfoot

all the prisoners of the land,

if they deprive others of their rights

in defiance of the Most High,

if they twist justice in the courts—

doesn’t the Lord see all these things?

Who can command things to happen

without the Lord’s permission?

Does not the Most High

send both calamity and good?

Then why should we, mere humans, complain

when we are punished for our sins?

Instead, let us test and examine our ways.

Let us turn back to the Lord.

For the Lord will not reject

forever.

For even though he causes grief he has compassion

according to the greatness of his loyal love.

He does not afflict willingly,

or grieve anyone.

To crush under his feet

all the prisoners of the earth;

to deprive one of justice

before the face of the Most High;

to subvert a person in a legal dispute

—the Lord has not found delight in these things.

Who can speak and it will happen

if the Lord has not commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that disaster and good will come?

Why should any living person complain

about his sin?

Let us test and examine our ways;

let us return to Yahweh.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,

To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.