The Prophet’s Afflictions
1 I3:1 This chapter is an acrostic poem, each 3–verse stanza beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 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.