Lamentations 3:33
New International Version
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

New Living Translation
For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

English Standard Version
for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.

Berean Standard Bible
For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

King James Bible
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

New King James Version
For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.

New American Standard Bible
For He does not afflict willingly Or grieve the sons of mankind.

NASB 1995
For He does not afflict willingly Or grieve the sons of men.

NASB 1977
For He does not afflict willingly, Or grieve the sons of men.

Legacy Standard Bible
For He does not afflict from His heart Or grieve the sons of men.

Amplified Bible
For He does not afflict willingly and from His heart Or grieve the children of men.

Christian Standard Bible
For he does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.

American Standard Version
For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

Contemporary English Version
The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain.

English Revised Version
For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He does not willingly bring suffering or grief to anyone,

Good News Translation
He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.

International Standard Version
For he does not deliberately hurt or grieve human beings.

Majority Standard Bible
For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

NET Bible
For he is not predisposed to afflict or to grieve people.

New Heart English Bible
For he is not predisposed to bring affliction or suffering to human beings.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

World English Bible
For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For He has not afflicted with His heart, "" Nor does He grieve the sons of men.

Young's Literal Translation
For He hath not afflicted with His heart, Nor doth He grieve the sons of men.

Smith's Literal Translation
For he afflicted not from his heart and grieved the sons of men,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Caph. For he hath not willingly afflicted, nor cast off the children of men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
CAPH. For he has not humiliated from his heart, nor has he thrown aside the sons of men,

New American Bible
He does not willingly afflict or bring grief to human beings.

New Revised Standard Version
for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he does not afflict willingly, but he afflicts the children of the mighty men,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he has not answered from his heart, and he humbles the children of mighty men
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For He doth not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He has not answered in anger from his heart, though he has brought low the children of a man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah's Hope
32Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. 33For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men. 34To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,…

Cross References
Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Psalm 103:13-14
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. / For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

Hosea 11:8-9
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! / I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath.

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Isaiah 54:7-8
“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Hebrews 12:10
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.


Treasury of Scripture

For he does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

afflict

Isaiah 28:21
For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

willingly.

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Afflict Afflicted Affliction Causing Children Grief Grieve Heart Pleasure Troubling Willingly
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Afflict Afflicted Affliction Causing Children Grief Grieve Heart Pleasure Troubling Willingly
Lamentations 3
1. The prophet bewails his own calamities
22. By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope
37. He acknowledges God's justice
55. He prays for deliverance
64. And vengeance on his enemies














For He does not willingly
The phrase "For He does not willingly" reveals the heart of God towards humanity. The Hebrew word used here is "לֵב" (lev), which often refers to the heart or inner being. This suggests that God's actions are not driven by a desire to cause pain or suffering. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with God's nature as compassionate and merciful, as seen in Exodus 34:6, where God is described as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." This phrase reassures believers that any discipline or hardship allowed by God is not out of malice but is part of His divine plan for growth and redemption.

afflict
The term "afflict" comes from the Hebrew word "עָנָה" (anah), which means to oppress or humble. In the historical context of Lamentations, the Israelites were experiencing the consequences of their disobedience and idolatry, leading to the Babylonian exile. This affliction was a form of divine discipline intended to bring the people back to a place of repentance and reliance on God. It is crucial to understand that affliction, in this sense, is not punitive but corrective, aiming to restore the relationship between God and His people.

or grieve
The word "grieve" is translated from the Hebrew "יָגָה" (yagah), which means to cause sorrow or distress. This highlights the emotional aspect of suffering. God, in His omniscience, understands the depth of human sorrow and does not take pleasure in it. The grief experienced by the "sons of men" is a result of living in a fallen world, yet it is also a tool used by God to draw individuals closer to Him. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 7:10, where godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation.

the sons of men
This phrase, "the sons of men," is a Hebrew idiom "בְּנֵי אָדָם" (benei adam), referring to humanity in general. It emphasizes the universal nature of God's dealings with people. Every human being, regardless of status or background, is subject to the same divine principles of justice and mercy. Historically, this reflects the collective experience of the Israelites, but it also extends to all of humanity, underscoring the consistent and impartial nature of God's character. The phrase reminds believers of their shared identity as God's creation, all subject to His sovereign will and loving discipline.

(33) Not . . . willingly.--Literally, not from the heart, as being the centre of volition as well as emotion

Verse 33. - Willingly; literally, from his heart.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He does not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

willingly
מִלִּבּ֔וֹ (mil·lib·bōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

afflict
עִנָּה֙ (‘in·nāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

or grieve
וַיַּגֶּ֖ה (way·yag·geh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3013: To grieve

the sons
בְנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of men.
אִֽישׁ׃‪‬‪‬ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:33 For he does not afflict willingly (Lam. La Lm)
Lamentations 3:32
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