33. For He does not willingly and from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men. [Ezek. 18:23, 32; Hos. 11:8; Heb. 12:5-10; II Pet. 3:9.]
34. To trample and crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth,
35. To turn aside and deprive a man of his rights before the face of the Most High or a superior [acting as God's representative],
36. To subvert a man in his cause–[of these things] the Lord does not approve.
37. Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, if the Lord has not authorized and commanded it?
38. Is it not out of the mouth of the Most High that evil and good both proceed [adversity and prosperity, physical evil or misfortune and physical good or happiness]?
39. Why does a living man sigh [one who is still in this life's school of discipline]? [And why does] a man complain for the punishment of his sins?
40. Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord!
41. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands [and then with them mount up in prayer] to God in heaven:
42. We have transgressed and rebelled and You have not pardoned.
43. You have covered Yourself with wrath and pursued and afflicted us; You have slain without pity.
44. You have covered Yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.
45. You have made us offscouring and refuse among the nations.
46. All our enemies have gaped at us and railed against us.
47. Fear and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction.
48. My eyes overflow with streams of tears because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49. My eyes overflow continually and will not cease
50. Until the Lord looks down and sees from heaven.
51. My eyes cause me grief at the fate of all the maidens [and the daughter-towns] of my city [Jerusalem].