"That is why my eyes are overflowing with tears. No one can comfort me; no one can give me courage. The enemy has conquered me; my people have nothing left.

The wicked will not be saved, for they do not obey your laws.

My bitterness will turn into peace. You save my life from all danger; You forgive all my sins.

The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace." So says the LORD who loves you.

We are frightened and distressed. We long for God to save us from oppression and wrong, but nothing happens.

We hoped for peace and a time of healing, but it was no use; terror came instead.

LORD, have you completely rejected Judah? Do you hate the people of Zion? Why have you hurt us so badly that we cannot be healed? We looked for peace, but nothing good happened; we hoped for healing, but terror came instead.

"You must not enter a house where there is mourning. Do not grieve for anyone. I will no longer bless my people with peace or show them love and mercy.

Before that time no one could afford to hire either men or animals, and no one was safe from enemies. I turned people against one another.

After that, there will be seven years of famine, and all the good years will be forgotten, because the famine will ruin the country.

Remember, O God, my life is only a breath; my happiness has already ended.

Curse the day I was born! Forget the day my mother gave me birth!

May he be like those cities that the LORD destroyed without mercy. May he hear cries of pain in the morning and the battle alarm at noon,

Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?