Lamentations 3:31–43

³¹The Lord doesn’t turn his back

on people forever.

³²He might bring suffering.

But he will also show loving concern.

How great his faithful love is!

³³He doesn’t want to bring pain

or suffering to people.

³⁴Every time people crush prisoners under their feet,

the Lord knows all about it.

³⁵When people refuse to give a man his rights,

the Most High God knows it.

³⁶When people don’t treat a man fairly,

the Lord knows it.

³⁷Suppose people order something to happen.

It won’t happen unless the Lord has planned it.

³⁸Troubles and good things alike come to people

because the Most High God has commanded them to come.

³⁹A man who is still alive shouldn’t blame God

when God punishes him for his sins.

⁴⁰Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living.

Let’s return to the Lord.

⁴¹Let’s lift up our hands to God in heaven.

Let’s pray to him with all our hearts.

⁴²Let’s say, “We have sinned.

We’ve refused to obey you.

And you haven’t forgiven us.

⁴³“You have covered yourself with the cloud of your anger.

You have chased us.

You have killed our people without pity.