Lamentations 3:32-45
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 3
32For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion In proportion to His abundant mercy. 33For He does not afflict willingly Or grieve the sons of mankind. 34To crush under one’s feet All the prisoners of the land, 35To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High, 36To defraud someone in his lawsuit— Of these things the Lord does not approve. 37Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both adversity and good proceed? 39Of what can any living mortal, or any man, Complain in view of his sins? 40Let’s examine and search out our ways, And let’s return to the Lord. 41We raise our heart and hands Toward God in heaven; 42We have done wrong and rebelled; You have not pardoned. 43You have covered Yourself with anger And pursued us; You have slain and have not spared. 44You have veiled Yourself with a cloud So that no prayer can pass through. 45You have made us mere refuse and rubbish In the midst of the peoples.King James Version
Chapter 3
32But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
33For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
34To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
36To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
37Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
39Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 3
32Even if he causes suffering, he will show compassion according to the abundance of his faithful love. 33For he does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind. 34Crushing all the prisoners of the land beneath one’s feet, 35denying justice to a man in the presence of the Most High, 36or subverting a person in his lawsuit — the Lord does not approve of these things. 37Who is there who speaks and it happens, unless the Lord has ordained it? 38Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High? 39Why should any living person complain, any man, because of the punishment for his sins? 40Let us examine and probe our ways, and turn back to the Lord. 41Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven: 42"We have sinned and rebelled; you have not forgiven. 43"You have covered yourself in anger and pursued us; you have killed without compassion. 44You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through. 45You have made us disgusting filth among the peoples.New Living Translation
Chapter 3
32Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. 33For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
34If people crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,
35if they deprive others of their rights in defiance of the Most High,
36if they twist justice in the courts — doesn’t the Lord see all these things?
37Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?
38Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?
39Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?
English Standard Version
Chapter 3
32but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33 for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. 34To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth, 35 to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, 36to subvert a man in his lawsuit, the Lord does not approve. 37 Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? 39 Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? 40Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! 41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: 42 "We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven. 43"You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity; 44 you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through. 45 You have made us scum and garbage among the peoples.New International Version
33For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
34To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land,
35to deny people their rights before the Most High,
36to deprive them of justice— would not the Lord see such things?
37Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
38Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
39Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?
40Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
41Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say:
New King James Version