Book of Lamentations

A reading from the Book of Lamentations (3:17-26)

My soul is deprived of peace,

I have forgotten what happiness is;

I tell myself my future is lost,

all that I hoped for from the LORD.

The thought of my homeless poverty

is wormwood and gall;

Remembering it over and over

leaves my soul downcast within me.

But I will call this to mind,

as my reason to have hope:

The favors of the LORD are not exhausted,

his mercies are not spent;

They are renewed each morning,

so great is his faithfulness.

My portion is the LORD, says my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

Good is the LORD to one who waits for him,

to the soul that seeks him;

It is good to hope in silence

for the saving help of the LORD.

The word of the Lord.