Lamentations 3:1–20

¹I am the man who hath seen affliction By the rod of His wrath. ²Me He hath led, and causeth to go in darkness, and without light. ³Surely against me He turneth back, He turneth His hand all the day. ⁴He hath worn out my flesh and my skin. He hath broken my bones. ⁵He hath built up against me, And setteth round poverty and weariness. ⁶In dark places He hath caused me to dwell, As the dead of old. ⁷He hath hedged me about, and I go not out, He hath made heavy my fetter. ⁸Also when I call and cry out, He hath shut out my prayer. ⁹He hath hedged my ways with hewn work, My paths He hath made crooked. ¹⁰A bear lying in wait He is to me, A lion in secret hiding-places. ¹¹My ways He is turning aside, and He pulleth me in pieces, He hath made me a desolation. ¹²He hath trodden His bow, And setteth me up as a mark for an arrow. ¹³He hath caused to enter into my reins The sons of His quiver. ¹⁴I have been a derision to all my people, Their song all the day. ¹⁵He hath filled me with bitter things, He hath filled me with wormwood. ¹⁶And He breaketh with gravel my teeth, He hath covered me with ashes. ¹⁷And Thou castest off from peace my soul, I have forgotten prosperity. ¹⁸And I say, Perished hath my strength and my hope from Jehovah. ¹⁹Remember my affliction and my mourning, Wormwood and gall! ²⁰Remember well, and bow down doth my soul in me.