The Prophet’s Afflictions

I[fn] am the man who has seen affliction

under the rod of [God’s] wrath.

2 

He has driven me away and made me walk

in darkness instead of light.

3 

Indeed, He keeps turning His hand

against me all day long

4 

He has worn away my flesh and skin;

He has shattered my bones.

5 

He has besieged me and surrounded me

with bitterness and hardship.

6 

He has made me dwell in darkness

like those dead for ages.

7 

He has walled me in so I cannot escape;

He has weighed me down with chains.

8 

Even when I cry out and plead for help,

He shuts out my prayer.

9 

He has barred my ways with cut stones;

He has made my paths crooked.

10 

He is a bear lying in wait,

a lion hiding in ambush.

11 

He forced me off my path and tore me to pieces;

He left me without help.

12 

He bent His bow

and set me as the target for His arrow.

13 

He pierced my kidneys

with His arrows

14 

I am a laughingstock to all my people;

they mock me in song all day long

15 

He has filled me with bitterness;

He has intoxicated me with wormwood.

16 

He has ground my teeth with gravel

and trampled me in the dust.

17 

My soul has been deprived of peace;

I have forgotten what prosperity is.

18 

So I say, “ My strength has perished,

along with my hope from the LORD.”

19