26. it is good to wait quietlyfor the salvation of the Lord.
27. It is good for a man to bear the yokewhile he is young.
28. Let him sit alone in silence,for the Lord has laid it on him.
29. Let him bury his face in the dust –there may yet be hope.
30. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,and let him be filled with disgrace.
31. For no one is cast offby the Lord for ever.
32. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,so great is his unfailing love.
33. For he does not willingly bring afflictionor grief to anyone.
34. To crush underfootall prisoners in the land,
35. to deny people their rightsbefore the Most High,
36. to deprive them of justice –would not the Lord see such things?
37. Who can speak and have it happenif the Lord has not decreed it?
38. Is it not from the mouth of the Most Highthat both calamities and good things come?
39. Why should the living complainwhen punished for their sins?
40. Let us examine our ways and test them,and let us return to the Lord.
41. Let us lift up our hearts and our handsto God in heaven, and say:
42. ‘We have sinned and rebelledand you have not forgiven.
43. ‘You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us;you have slain without pity.
44. You have covered yourself with a cloudso that no prayer can get through.