Lamentations 3

 ^1 [a] I am the man who has seen affliction 
       by the rod of his wrath.
 ² He has driven me away and made me walk 
       in darkness rather than light;
 ³ indeed, he has turned his hand against me 
       again and again, all day long.
 ⁴ He has made my skin and my flesh grow old 
       and has broken my bones.
 ⁵ He has besieged me and surrounded me 
       with bitterness and hardship.
 ⁶ He has made me dwell in darkness 
       like those long dead.
 ⁷ He has walled me in so I cannot escape; 
       he has weighed me down with chains.
 ⁸ Even when I call out or cry for help, 
       he shuts out my prayer.
 ⁹ He has barred my way with blocks of stone; 
       he has made my paths crooked.
 ¹⁰ Like a bear lying in wait, 
       like a lion in hiding,
 ¹¹ he dragged me from the path and mangled me 
       and left me without help.
 ¹² He drew his bow 
       and made me the target for his arrows.
 ¹³ He pierced my heart 
       with arrows from his quiver.
 ¹⁴ I became the laughingstock of all my people; 
       they mock me in song all day long.
 ¹⁵ He has filled me with bitter herbs 
       and sated me with gall.
 ¹⁶ He has broken my teeth with gravel; 
       he has trampled me in the dust.
 ¹⁷ I have been deprived of peace; 
       I have forgotten what prosperity is.
 ¹⁸ So I say, "My splendor is gone 
       and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
 ¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering, 
       the bitterness and the gall.
 ²⁰ I well remember them, 
       and my soul is downcast within me.
 ²¹ Yet this I call to mind 
       and therefore I have hope:
 ²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 
       for his compassions never fail.
 ²³ They are new every morning; 
       great is your faithfulness.
 ²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; 
       therefore I will wait for him."
 ²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, 
       to the one who seeks him;
 ²⁶ it is good to wait quietly 
       for the salvation of the LORD.
 ²⁷ It is good for a man to bear the yoke 
       while he is young.
 ²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence, 
       for the LORD has laid it on him.
 ²⁹ Let him bury his face in the dust— 
       there may yet be hope.
 ³⁰ Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, 
       and let him be filled with disgrace.
 ³¹ For men are not cast off 
       by the Lord forever.
 ³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, 
       so great is his unfailing love.
 ³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction 
       or grief to the children of men.