New International Reader's Version

Lamentations 3:20-36 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

20. I remember it very well. My spirit is very sad deep down inside me.

21. But here is something else I remember. And it gives me hope.

22. The Lord loves us very much. So we haven't been completely destroyed. His loving concern never fails.

23. His great love is new every morning. Lord, how faithful you are!

24. I say to myself, "The Lord is everything I will ever need. So I will put my hope in him."

25. The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him. He is good to those who look to him.

26. It is good when people wait quietly for the Lord to save them.

27. It is good for a man to carry a heavy load of suffering while he is young.

28. Let him sit alone and not say anything. The Lord has placed that load on him.

29. Let him bury his face in the dust. There might still be hope for him.

30. Let him turn his cheek toward those who would slap him. Let him be filled with shame.

31. The Lord doesn't turn his back on people forever.

32. He might bring suffering. But he will also show loving concern. How great his faithful love is!

33. He doesn't want to bring pain or suffering to people.

34. Every time people crush prisoners under their feet, the Lord knows all about it.

35. When people refuse to give a man his rights, the Most High God knows it.

36. When people don't treat a man fairly, the Lord knows it.