31. The Lord is merciful and will not reject us for ever.
32. He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.
33. He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.
34. The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison;
35. He knows when we are denied the rights he gave us;
36. When justice is perverted in court, he knows.
37. The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.
38. Good and evil alike take place at his command.
39. Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?
40. Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.
41. Let us open our hearts to God in heaven and pray,
42. “We have sinned and rebelled, and you, O Lord, have not forgiven us.
43. “You pursued us and killed us; your mercy was hidden by your anger,
44. By a cloud of fury too thick for our prayers to get through.
45. You have made us the refuse heap of the world.
46. “We are insulted and mocked by all our enemies.
47. We have been through disaster and ruin; we live in danger and fear.
48. My eyes flow with rivers of tears at the destruction of my people.
49. “My tears will pour out in a ceaseless stream