27. And it is good for people to submit at an early ageto the yoke of his discipline:
28. Let them sit alone in silencebeneath the lord’s demands.
29. Let them lie face down in the dust,for there may be hope at last.
30. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike themand accept the insults of their enemies.
31. For no one is abandonedby the Lord forever.
32. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassionbecause of the greatness of his unfailing love.
33. For he does not enjoy hurting peopleor causing them sorrow.
34. If people crush underfootall the prisoners of the land,
35. if they deprive others of their rightsin defiance of the Most High,
36. if they twist justice in the courts—doesn’t the Lord see all these things?
37. Who can command things to happenwithout the Lord’s permission?
38. Does not the Most Highsend both calamity and good?
39. Then why should we, mere humans, complainwhen we are punished for our sins?
40. Instead, let us test and examine our ways.Let us turn back to the lord.
41. Let us lift our hearts and handsto God in heaven and say,
42. “We have sinned and rebelled,and you have not forgiven us.
43. “You have engulfed us with your anger, chased us down,and slaughtered us without mercy.