Old Testament

Lamentations

The Prophet’s Afflictions · 3:1–18

3:1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

3:2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

3:3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.

3:4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

3:5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

3:6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.

3:7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.

3:8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

3:9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.

3:10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

3:11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.

3:12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

3:13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

3:14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.

3:15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

3:17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.

3:18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: