CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Lamentations 3 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/lamentations/3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/lamentations/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NIV</a> > Lamentations 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../lamentations/2.htm" title="Lamentations 2">◄</a> Lamentations 3 <a href="../lamentations/4.htm" title="Lamentations 4">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/lamentations/3.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>I am the man who has seen affliction</p><p class="line2">by the rod of the <span class="name">Lord</span>’s wrath.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>He has driven me away and made me walk</p><p class="line2">in darkness rather than light;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>indeed, he has turned his hand against me</p><p class="line2">again and again, all day long.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>He has made my skin and my flesh grow old</p><p class="line2">and has broken my bones.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>He has besieged me and surrounded me</p><p class="line2">with bitterness and hardship.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>He has made me dwell in darkness</p><p class="line2">like those long dead.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>He has walled me in so I cannot escape;</p><p class="line2">he has weighed me down with chains.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Even when I call out or cry for help,</p><p class="line2">he shuts out my prayer.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>He has barred my way with blocks of stone;</p><p class="line2">he has made my paths crooked.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Like a bear lying in wait,</p><p class="line2">like a lion in hiding,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>he dragged me from the path and mangled me</p><p class="line2">and left me without help.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>He drew his bow</p><p class="line2">and made me the target for his arrows.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>He pierced my heart</p><p class="line2">with arrows from his quiver.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>I became the laughingstock of all my people;</p><p class="line2">they mock me in song all day long.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>He has filled me with bitter herbs</p><p class="line2">and given me gall to drink.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>He has broken my teeth with gravel;</p><p class="line2">he has trampled me in the dust.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I have been deprived of peace;</p><p class="line2">I have forgotten what prosperity is.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>So I say, “My splendor is gone</p><p class="line2">and all that I had hoped from the <span class="name">Lord</span>.”</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>I remember my affliction and my wandering,</p><p class="line2">the bitterness and the gall.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>I well remember them,</p><p class="line2">and my soul is downcast within me.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Yet this I call to mind</p><p class="line2">and therefore I have hope:</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Because of the <span class="name">Lord</span>’s great love we are not consumed,</p><p class="line2">for his compassions never fail.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>They are new every morning;</p><p class="line2">great is your faithfulness.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>I say to myself, “The <span class="name">Lord</span> is my portion;</p><p class="line2">therefore I will wait for him.”</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> is good to those whose hope is in him,</p><p class="line2">to the one who seeks him;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>it is good to wait quietly</p><p class="line2">for the salvation of the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>It is good for a man to bear the yoke</p><p class="line2">while he is young.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Let him sit alone in silence,</p><p class="line2">for the <span class="name">Lord</span> has laid it on him.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Let him bury his face in the dust—</p><p class="line2">there may yet be hope.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,</p><p class="line2">and let him be filled with disgrace.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>For no one is cast off</p><p class="line2">by the Lord forever.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,</p><p class="line2">so great is his unfailing love.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>For he does not willingly bring affliction</p><p class="line2">or grief to anyone.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>To crush underfoot</p><p class="line2">all prisoners in the land,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>to deny people their rights</p><p class="line2">before the Most High,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>to deprive them of justice—</p><p class="line2">would not the Lord see such things?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Who can speak and have it happen</p><p class="line2">if the Lord has not decreed it?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Is it not from the mouth of the Most High</p><p class="line2">that both calamities and good things come?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>Why should the living complain</p><p class="line2">when punished for their sins?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>Let us examine our ways and test them,</p><p class="line2">and let us return to the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Let us lift up our hearts and our hands</p><p class="line2">to God in heaven, and say:</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>“We have sinned and rebelled</p><p class="line2">and you have not forgiven.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>“You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us;</p><p class="line2">you have slain without pity.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>You have covered yourself with a cloud</p><p class="line2">so that no prayer can get through.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>You have made us scum and refuse</p><p class="line2">among the nations.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>“All our enemies have opened their mouths</p><p class="line2">wide against us.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>We have suffered terror and pitfalls,</p><p class="line2">ruin and destruction.”</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>Streams of tears flow from my eyes</p><p class="line2">because my people are destroyed.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>My eyes will flow unceasingly,</p><p class="line2">without relief,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>until the <span class="name">Lord</span> looks down</p><p class="line2">from heaven and sees.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-51.htm"><b>51</b></a></span>What I see brings grief to my soul</p><p class="line2">because of all the women of my city.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-52.htm"><b>52</b></a></span>Those who were my enemies without cause</p><p class="line2">hunted me like a bird.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-53.htm"><b>53</b></a></span>They tried to end my life in a pit</p><p class="line2">and threw stones at me;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-54.htm"><b>54</b></a></span>the waters closed over my head,</p><p class="line2">and I thought I was about to perish.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-55.htm"><b>55</b></a></span>I called on your name, <span class="name">Lord</span>,</p><p class="line2">from the depths of the pit.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-56.htm"><b>56</b></a></span>You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears</p><p class="line2">to my cry for relief.”</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-57.htm"><b>57</b></a></span>You came near when I called you,</p><p class="line2">and you said, “Do not fear.”</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-58.htm"><b>58</b></a></span>You, Lord, took up my case;</p><p class="line2">you redeemed my life.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-59.htm"><b>59</b></a></span><span class="name">Lord</span>, you have seen the wrong done to me.</p><p class="line2">Uphold my cause!</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-60.htm"><b>60</b></a></span>You have seen the depth of their vengeance,</p><p class="line2">all their plots against me.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-61.htm"><b>61</b></a></span><span class="name">Lord</span>, you have heard their insults,</p><p class="line2">all their plots against me—</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-62.htm"><b>62</b></a></span>what my enemies whisper and mutter</p><p class="line2">against me all day long.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-63.htm"><b>63</b></a></span>Look at them! Sitting or standing,</p><p class="line2">they mock me in their songs.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-64.htm"><b>64</b></a></span>Pay them back what they deserve, <span class="name">Lord</span>,</p><p class="line2">for what their hands have done.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-65.htm"><b>65</b></a></span>Put a veil over their hearts,</p><p class="line2">and may your curse be on them!</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-66.htm"><b>66</b></a></span>Pursue them in anger and destroy them</p><p class="line2">from under the heavens of the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.</p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../lamentations/2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../lamentations/4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/lamentations/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenubib2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchapnoad.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>