\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Lamentations}

{\MT Lamentations



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The Prophet Speaks:
\par }
{\SH {\BD{ א}}
{\IT{(Alef}})
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Alas! The city once full of people

\par }{\Q now sits all alone!

\par }{\Q The prominent lady among the nations

\par }{\Q has become a widow!

\par }{\Q The princess who once ruled the provinces

\par }{\Q has become a forced laborer!


\par }{\SH ב ({\IT{Bet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}She weeps bitterly at night;

\par }{\Q tears stream down her cheeks.

\par }{\Q She has no one to comfort her

\par }{\Q among all her lovers.

\par }{\Q All her friends have betrayed her;

\par }{\Q they have become her enemies.


\par }{\SH ג ({\IT{Gimel}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{3}Judah has departed into exile

\par }{\Q under affliction and harsh oppression.

\par }{\Q She lives among the nations;

\par }{\Q she has found no resting place.

\par }{\Q All who pursued her overtook her

\par }{\Q in narrow straits.


\par }{\SH ד ({\IT{Dalet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}The roads to Zion mourn

\par }{\Q because no one travels to the festivals.

\par }{\Q All her city gates are deserted;

\par }{\Q her priests groan.

\par }{\Q Her virgins grieve;

\par }{\Q she is in bitter anguish!


\par }{\SH ה ({\IT{He}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}Her foes subjugated her;

\par }{\Q her enemies are at ease.

\par }{\Q For the
{\ND{Lord}} afflicted her

\par }{\Q because of her many acts of rebellion.

\par }{\Q Her children went away

\par }{\Q captive before the enemy.


\par }{\SH ו ({\IT{Vav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{6}All of Daughter Zion’s splendor

\par }{\Q has departed.

\par }{\Q Her leaders became like deer;

\par }{\Q they found no pasture,

\par }{\Q so they were too exhausted to escape

\par }{\Q from the hunter.


\par }{\SH ז ({\IT{Zayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{7}Jerusalem remembers,

\par }{\Q when she became a poor homeless person,

\par }{\Q all her treasures

\par }{\Q that she owned in days of old.

\par }{\Q When her people fell into an enemy’s grip,

\par }{\Q none of her allies came to her rescue.

\par }{\Q Her enemies gloated over her;

\par }{\Q they sneered at her downfall.


\par }{\SH ח ({\IT{Khet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}Jerusalem committed terrible sin;

\par }{\Q therefore she became an object of scorn.

\par }{\Q All who admired her have despised her

\par }{\Q because they have seen her nakedness.

\par }{\Q She groans aloud

\par }{\Q and turns away in shame.


\par }{\SH ט ({\IT{Tet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{9}Her menstrual flow has soiled her clothing;

\par }{\Q she did not consider the consequences of her sin.

\par }{\Q Her demise was astonishing,

\par }{\Q and there was no one to comfort her.

\par }{\Q She cried, “Look, O
{\ND{Lord}}, on my affliction

\par }{\Q because my enemy boasts!”


\par }{\SH י ({\IT{Yod}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}An enemy grabbed

\par }{\Q all her valuables.

\par }{\Q Indeed she watched in horror as Gentiles

\par }{\Q invaded her holy temple –

\par }{\Q those whom you had commanded:

\par }{\Q “They must not enter your assembly place.”


\par }{\SH כ ({\IT{Kaf}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{11}All her people groaned

\par }{\Q as they searched for a morsel of bread.

\par }{\Q They exchanged their valuables

\par }{\Q for just enough food

\par }{\Q to stay alive.

\par }{\SH Jerusalem Speaks:
\par }
{\Q “Look, O
{\ND{Lord}}! Consider

\par }{\Q that I have become worthless!”


\par }{\SH ל ({\IT{Lamed}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by on the road?

\par }{\Q Look and see!

\par }{\Q Is there any pain like mine?

\par }{\Q The Lord has afflicted me,

\par }{\Q he has inflicted it on me

\par }{\Q when he burned with anger.


\par }{\SH מ ({\IT{Mem}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}He sent down fire

\par }{\Q into my bones, and it overcame them.

\par }{\Q He spread out a trapper’s net for my feet;

\par }{\Q he made me turn back.

\par }{\Q He has made me desolate;

\par }{\Q I am faint all day long.


\par }{\SH נ ({\IT{Nun}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{14}My sins are bound around my neck like a yoke;

\par }{\Q they are fastened together by his hand.

\par }{\Q He has placed his yoke on my neck;

\par }{\Q he has sapped my strength.

\par }{\Q The Lord has handed me over

\par }{\Q to those whom I cannot resist.


\par }{\SH ס ({\IT{Samek}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}He rounded up all my mighty ones;

\par }{\Q The Lord did this in my midst.

\par }{\Q He summoned an assembly against me

\par }{\Q to shatter my young men.

\par }{\Q The Lord has stomped like grapes

\par }{\Q the virgin daughter, Judah.


\par }{\SH ע ({\IT{Ayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}I weep because of these things;

\par }{\Q my eyes flow with tears.

\par }{\Q For there is no one in sight who can comfort me

\par }{\Q or encourage me.

\par }{\Q My children are desolated

\par }{\Q because an enemy has prevailed.


\par }{\SH The Prophet Speaks:
\par }
{\SH {\IT{פ (Pe}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{17}Zion spread out her hands,

\par }{\Q but there is no one to comfort her.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} has issued a decree against Jacob;

\par }{\Q his neighbors have become his enemies.

\par }{\Q Jerusalem has become

\par }{\Q like filthy garbage in their midst.


\par }{\SH Jerusalem Speaks:
\par }
{\SH {\IT{צ (Tsade}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{18}The
{\SC{ Lord}} is right to judge me!

\par }{\Q Yes, I rebelled against his commands.

\par }{\Q Please listen, all you nations,

\par }{\Q and look at my suffering!

\par }{\Q My young women and men

\par }{\Q have gone into exile.


\par }{\SH ק ({\IT{Qof}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}I called for my lovers,

\par }{\Q but they had deceived me.

\par }{\Q My priests and my elders

\par }{\Q perished in the city.

\par }{\Q Truly they had searched for food

\par }{\Q to keep themselves alive.


\par }{\SH ר ({\IT{Resh}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{20}Look, O
{\ND{Lord}}! I am distressed;

\par }{\Q my stomach is in knots!

\par }{\Q My heart is pounding inside me.

\par }{\Q Yes, I was terribly rebellious!

\par }{\Q Out in the street the sword bereaves a mother of her children;

\par }{\Q Inside the house death is present.


\par }{\SH ש ({\IT{Sin/Shin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{21}They have heard that I groan,

\par }{\Q yet there is no one to comfort me.

\par }{\Q All my enemies have heard of my trouble;

\par }{\Q they are glad that you have brought it about.

\par }{\Q Bring about the day of judgment that you promised

\par }{\Q so that they may end up like me!


\par }{\SH ת ({\IT{Tav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{22}Let all their wickedness come before you;

\par }{\Q afflict them

\par }{\Q just as you have afflicted me

\par }{\Q because of all my acts of rebellion.

\par }{\Q For my groans are many,

\par }{\Q and my heart is sick with sorrow.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH {\IT{א (Alef}})
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Alas! The Lord has covered

\par }{\Q Daughter Zion with his anger.

\par }{\Q He has thrown down the splendor of Israel

\par }{\Q from heaven to earth;

\par }{\Q he did not protect his temple

\par }{\Q when he displayed his anger.


\par }{\SH ב ({\IT{Bet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}The Lord destroyed mercilessly

\par }{\Q all the homes of Jacob’s descendants.

\par }{\Q In his anger he tore down

\par }{\Q the fortified cities of Daughter Judah.

\par }{\Q He knocked to the ground and humiliated

\par }{\Q the kingdom and its rulers.


\par }{\SH ג ({\IT{Gimel}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{3}In fierce anger he destroyed

\par }{\Q the whole army of Israel.

\par }{\Q He withdrew his right hand

\par }{\Q as the enemy attacked.

\par }{\Q He was like a raging fire in the land of Jacob;

\par }{\Q it consumed everything around it.


\par }{\SH ד ({\IT{Dalet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}He prepared his bow like an enemy;

\par }{\Q his right hand was ready to shoot.

\par }{\Q Like a foe he killed everyone,

\par }{\Q even our strong young men;

\par }{\Q he has poured out his anger like fire

\par }{\Q on the tent of Daughter Zion.


\par }{\SH ה ({\IT{He}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}The Lord, like an enemy,

\par }{\Q destroyed Israel.

\par }{\Q He destroyed all her palaces;

\par }{\Q he ruined her fortified cities.

\par }{\Q He made everyone in Daughter Judah

\par }{\Q mourn and lament.


\par }{\SH ו ({\IT{Vav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{6}He destroyed his temple as if it were a vineyard;

\par }{\Q he destroyed his appointed meeting place.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} has made those in Zion forget

\par }{\Q both the festivals and the Sabbaths.

\par }{\Q In his fierce anger he has spurned

\par }{\Q both king and priest.


\par }{\SH ז ({\IT{Zayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{7}The Lord rejected his altar

\par }{\Q and abhorred his temple.

\par }{\Q He handed over to the enemy

\par }{\Q her palace walls;

\par }{\Q the enemy shouted in the
{\ND{Lord’s}} temple

\par }{\Q as if it were a feast day.


\par }{\SH ח ({\IT{Khet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}The
{\ND{Lord}} was determined to tear down

\par }{\Q Daughter Zion’s wall.

\par }{\Q He prepared to knock it down;

\par }{\Q he did not withdraw his hand from destroying.

\par }{\Q He made the ramparts and fortified walls lament;

\par }{\Q together they mourned their ruin.


\par }{\SH ט ({\IT{Tet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{9}Her city gates have fallen to the ground;

\par }{\Q he smashed to bits the bars that lock her gates.

\par }{\Q Her king and princes were taken into exile;

\par }{\Q there is no more guidance available.

\par }{\Q As for her prophets,

\par }{\Q they no longer receive a vision from the
{\ND{Lord}}.


\par }{\SH י ({\IT{Yod}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}The elders of Daughter Zion

\par }{\Q sit on the ground in silence.

\par }{\Q They have thrown dirt on their heads;

\par }{\Q They have dressed in sackcloth.

\par }{\Q Jerusalem’s young women stare down at the ground.


\par }{\SH כ ({\IT{Kaf}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{11}My eyes are worn out from weeping;

\par }{\Q my stomach is in knots.

\par }{\Q My heart is poured out on the ground

\par }{\Q due to the destruction of my helpless people;

\par }{\Q children and infants faint

\par }{\Q in the town squares.


\par }{\SH ל ({\IT{Lamed}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}Children say to their mothers,

\par }{\Q “Where are food and drink?”

\par }{\Q They faint like a wounded warrior

\par }{\Q in the city squares.

\par }{\Q They die slowly

\par }{\Q in their mothers’ arms.


\par }{\SH מ ({\IT{Mem}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}With what can I equate you?

\par }{\Q To what can I compare you, O Daughter Jerusalem?

\par }{\Q To what can I liken you

\par }{\Q so that I might comfort you, O Virgin Daughter Zion?

\par }{\Q Your wound is as deep as the sea.

\par }{\Q Who can heal you?


\par }{\SH נ ({\IT{Nun}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{14}Your prophets saw visions for you

\par }{\Q that were worthless lies.

\par }{\Q They failed to expose your sin

\par }{\Q so as to restore your fortunes.

\par }{\Q They saw oracles for you

\par }{\Q that were worthless lies.


\par }{\SH ס ({\IT{Samek}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}All who passed by on the road

\par }{\Q clapped their hands to mock you.

\par }{\Q They sneered and shook their heads

\par }{\Q at Daughter Jerusalem.

\par }{\Q “Ha! Is this the city they called

\par }{\Q ‘The perfection of beauty,

\par }{\Q the source of joy of the whole earth!’?”


\par }{\SH פ ({\IT{Pe}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}All your enemies

\par }{\Q gloated over you.

\par }{\Q They sneered and gnashed their teeth;

\par }{\Q they said, “We have destroyed her!

\par }{\Q Ha! We have waited a long time for this day.

\par }{\Q We have lived to see it!”


\par }{\SH ע ({\IT{Ayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{17}The
{\ND{Lord}} has done what he planned;

\par }{\Q he has fulfilled his promise

\par }{\Q that he threatened long ago:

\par }{\Q He has overthrown you without mercy

\par }{\Q and has enabled the enemy to gloat over you;

\par }{\Q he has exalted your adversaries’ power.


\par }{\SH {\BD{צ}} ({\IT{Tsade}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{18}Cry out from your heart to the Lord,

\par }{\Q O wall of Daughter Zion!

\par }{\Q Make your tears flow like a river

\par }{\Q all day and all night long!

\par }{\Q Do not rest;

\par }{\Q do not let your tears stop!


\par }{\SH ק ({\IT{Qof}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}Get up! Cry out in the night

\par }{\Q when the night watches start!

\par }{\Q Pour out your heart like water

\par }{\Q before the face of the Lord!

\par }{\Q Lift up your hands to him

\par }{\Q for your children’s lives;

\par }{\Q they are fainting

\par }{\Q at every street corner.


\par }{\SH Jerusalem Speaks:
\par }
{\SH {\IT{ר (Resh}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{20}Look, O
{\ND{Lord}}! Consider!

\par }{\Q Whom have you ever afflicted like this?

\par }{\Q Should women eat their offspring,

\par }{\Q their healthy infants?

\par }{\Q Should priest and prophet

\par }{\Q be killed in the Lord’s sanctuary?


\par }{\SH ש ({\IT{Sin/Shin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{21}The young boys and old men

\par }{\Q lie dead on the ground in the streets.

\par }{\Q My young women and my young men

\par }{\Q have fallen by the sword.

\par }{\Q You killed them when you were angry;

\par }{\Q you slaughtered them without mercy.


\par }{\SH ת ({\IT{Tav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{22}As if it were a feast day, you call

\par }{\Q enemies to terrify me on every side.

\par }{\Q On the day of the Lord’s anger

\par }{\Q no one escaped or survived.

\par }{\Q My enemy has finished off

\par }{\Q those healthy infants whom I bore and raised.




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH א ({\IT{Alef}})
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}I am the man who has experienced affliction

\par }{\Q from the rod of his wrath.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}He drove me into captivity and made me walk

\par }{\Q in darkness and not light.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}He repeatedly attacks me,

\par }{\Q he turns his hand against me all day long.


\par }{\SH ב ({\IT{Bet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}He has made my mortal skin waste away;

\par }{\Q he has broken my bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}He has besieged and surrounded me

\par }{\Q with bitter hardship.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}He has made me reside in deepest darkness

\par }{\Q like those who died long ago.


\par }{\SH ג ({\IT{Gimel}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{7}He has walled me in so that I cannot get out;

\par }{\Q he has weighted me down with heavy prison chains.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Also, when I cry out desperately for help,

\par }{\Q he has shut out my prayer.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}He has blocked every road I take with a wall of hewn stones;

\par }{\Q he has made every path impassable.


\par }{\SH ד ({\IT{Dalet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}To me he is like a bear lying in ambush,

\par }{\Q like a hidden lion stalking its prey.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}He has obstructed my paths and torn me to pieces;

\par }{\Q he has made me desolate.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}He drew his bow and made me

\par }{\Q the target for his arrow.


\par }{\SH ה ({\IT{He}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}He shot his arrows

\par }{\Q into my heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I have become the laughingstock of all people,

\par }{\Q their mocking song all day long.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}He has given me my fill of bitter herbs

\par }{\Q and made me drunk with bitterness.


\par }{\SH ו ({\IT{Vav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}He ground my teeth in gravel;

\par }{\Q he trampled me in the dust.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}I am deprived of peace;

\par }{\Q I have forgotten what happiness is.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}So I said, “My endurance has expired;

\par }{\Q I have lost all hope of deliverance from the
{\ND{Lord}}.”


\par }{\SH ז ({\IT{Zayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}Remember my impoverished and homeless condition,

\par }{\Q which is a bitter poison.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}I continually think about this,

\par }{\Q and I am depressed.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}But this I call to mind;

\par }{\Q therefore I have hope:


\par }{\SH ח ({\IT{Khet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{22}The
{\ND{Lord}}’s loyal kindness never ceases;

\par }{\Q his compassions never end.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}They are fresh every morning;

\par }{\Q your faithfulness is abundant!


\par }{\Q \VS{24}“My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself,

\par }{\Q so I will put my hope in him.


\par }{\SH ט ({\IT{Tet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{25}The
{\ND{Lord}} is good to those who trust in him,

\par }{\Q to the one who seeks him.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}It is good to wait patiently

\par }{\Q for deliverance from the
{\ND{Lord}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}It is good for a man

\par }{\Q to bear the yoke while he is young.


\par }{\SH י ({\IT{Yod}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{28}Let a person sit alone in silence,

\par }{\Q when the
{\ND{Lord}} is disciplining him.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Let him bury his face in the dust;

\par }{\Q perhaps there is hope.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him;

\par }{\Q let him have his fill of insults.


\par }{\SH כ ({\IT{Kaf}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{31}For the Lord will not

\par }{\Q reject us forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}Though he causes us grief, he then has compassion on us

\par }{\Q according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}For he is not predisposed to afflict

\par }{\Q or to grieve people.


\par }{\SH ל ({\IT{Lamed}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{34}To crush underfoot

\par }{\Q all the earth’s prisoners,


\par }{\Q \VS{35}to deprive a person of his rights

\par }{\Q in the presence of the Most High,


\par }{\Q \VS{36}to defraud a person in a lawsuit –

\par }{\Q the Lord does not approve of such things!


\par }{\SH מ ({\IT{Mem}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{37}Whose command was ever fulfilled

\par }{\Q unless the Lord decreed it?


\par }{\Q \VS{38}Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that everything comes –

\par }{\Q both calamity and blessing?


\par }{\Q \VS{39}Why should any living person complain

\par }{\Q when punished for his sins?


\par }{\SH נ ({\IT{Nun}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{40}Let us carefully examine our ways,

\par }{\Q and let us return to the
{\ND{Lord}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{41}Let us lift up our hearts and our hands

\par }{\Q to God in heaven:


\par }{\Q \VS{42}“We have blatantly rebelled;

\par }{\Q you have not forgiven.”


\par }{\SH ס ({\IT{Samek}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{43}You shrouded yourself with anger and then pursued us;

\par }{\Q you killed without mercy.


\par }{\Q \VS{44}You shrouded yourself with a cloud

\par }{\Q so that no prayer can get through.


\par }{\Q \VS{45}You make us like filthy scum

\par }{\Q in the estimation of the nations.


\par }{\SH פ ({\IT{Pe}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{46}All our enemies have gloated over us;


\par }{\Q \VS{47}Panic and pitfall have come upon us,

\par }{\Q devastation and destruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{48}Streams of tears flow from my eyes

\par }{\Q because my people are destroyed.


\par }{\SH ע ({\IT{Ayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{49}Tears flow from my eyes and will not stop;

\par }{\Q there will be no break


\par }{\Q \VS{50}until the
{\ND{Lord}} looks down from heaven

\par }{\Q and sees what has happened.


\par }{\Q \VS{51}What my eyes see grieves me –

\par }{\Q all the suffering of the daughters in my city.


\par }{\SH צ ({\IT{Tsade}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{52}For no good reason my enemies

\par }{\Q hunted me down like a bird.


\par }{\Q \VS{53}They shut me up in a pit

\par }{\Q and threw stones at me.


\par }{\Q \VS{54}The waters closed over my head;

\par }{\Q I thought I was about to die.


\par }{\SH ק ({\IT{Qof}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{55}I have called on your name, O
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q from the deepest pit.


\par }{\Q \VS{56}You heard my plea:

\par }{\Q “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief!”


\par }{\Q \VS{57}You came near on the day I called to you;

\par }{\Q you said, “Do not fear!”


\par }{\SH ר ({\IT{Resh}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{58}O Lord, you championed my cause,

\par }{\Q you redeemed my life.


\par }{\Q \VS{59}You have seen the wrong done to me, O
{\ND{Lord}};

\par }{\Q pronounce judgment on my behalf!


\par }{\Q \VS{60}You have seen all their vengeance,

\par }{\Q all their plots against me.


\par }{\SH ש ({\IT{Sin/Shin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{61}You have heard their taunts, O
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q all their plots against me.


\par }{\Q \VS{62}My assailants revile and conspire

\par }{\Q against me all day long.


\par }{\Q \VS{63}Watch them from morning to evening;

\par }{\Q I am the object of their mocking songs.


\par }{\SH ת ({\IT{Tav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{64}Pay them back what they deserve, O
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q according to what they have done.


\par }{\Q \VS{65}Give them a distraught heart;

\par }{\Q may your curse be on them!


\par }{\Q \VS{66}Pursue them in anger and eradicate them

\par }{\Q from under the
{\ND{Lord’s}} heaven.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH {\IT{א (Alef}})
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Alas! Gold has lost its luster;

\par }{\Q pure gold loses value.

\par }{\Q Jewels are scattered

\par }{\Q on every street corner.


\par }{\SH ב ({\IT{Bet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}The precious sons of Zion

\par }{\Q were worth their weight in gold –

\par }{\Q Alas! – but now they are treated like broken clay pots,

\par }{\Q made by a potter.


\par }{\SH ג ({\IT{Gimel}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{3}Even the jackals nurse their young

\par }{\Q at their breast,

\par }{\Q but my people are cruel,

\par }{\Q like ostriches in the desert.


\par }{\SH ד ({\IT{Dalet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}The infant’s tongue sticks

\par }{\Q to the roof of its mouth due to thirst;

\par }{\Q little children beg for bread,

\par }{\Q but no one gives them even a morsel.


\par }{\SH ה ({\IT{He}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}Those who once feasted on delicacies

\par }{\Q are now starving to death in the streets.

\par }{\Q Those who grew up wearing expensive clothes

\par }{\Q are now dying amid garbage.


\par }{\SH ו ({\IT{Vav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{6}The punishment of my people

\par }{\Q exceeded that of of Sodom,

\par }{\Q which was overthrown in a moment

\par }{\Q with no one to help her.


\par }{\SH ז ({\IT{Zayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{7}Her consecrated ones were brighter than snow,

\par }{\Q whiter than milk;

\par }{\Q their bodies more ruddy than corals,

\par }{\Q their hair like lapis lazuli.


\par }{\SH ח ({\IT{Khet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}Now their appearance is darker than soot;

\par }{\Q they are not recognized in the streets.

\par }{\Q Their skin has shriveled on their bones;

\par }{\Q it is dried up, like tree bark.


\par }{\SH ט ({\IT{Tet}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{9}Those who died by the sword are better off

\par }{\Q than those who die of hunger,

\par }{\Q those who waste away,

\par }{\Q struck down from lack of food.


\par }{\SH י ({\IT{Yod}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}The hands of tenderhearted women

\par }{\Q cooked their own children,

\par }{\Q who became their food,

\par }{\Q when my people were destroyed.


\par }{\SH כ ({\IT{Kaf}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{11}The
{\ND{Lord}} fully vented his wrath;

\par }{\Q he poured out his fierce anger.

\par }{\Q He started a fire in Zion;

\par }{\Q it consumed her foundations.


\par }{\SH ל ({\IT{Lamed}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}Neither the kings of the earth

\par }{\Q nor the people of the lands ever thought

\par }{\Q that enemy or foe would enter

\par }{\Q the gates of Jerusalem.


\par }{\SH מ ({\IT{Mem}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}But it happened due to the sins of her prophets

\par }{\Q and the iniquities of her priests,

\par }{\Q who poured out in her midst

\par }{\Q the blood of the righteous.


\par }{\SH נ ({\IT{Nun}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{14}They wander blindly through the streets,

\par }{\Q defiled by the blood they shed,

\par }{\Q while no one dares

\par }{\Q to touch their garments.


\par }{\SH ס ({\IT{Samek}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}People cry to them, “Turn away! You are unclean!

\par }{\Q Turn away! Turn away! Don’t touch us!”

\par }{\Q So they have fled and wander about;

\par }{\Q but the nations say, “They may not stay here any longer.”


\par }{\SH פ ({\IT{Pe}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}The
{\ND{Lord}} himself has scattered them;

\par }{\Q he no longer watches over them.

\par }{\Q They did not honor the priests;

\par }{\Q they did not show favor to the elders.


\par }{\SH The People of Jerusalem Lament:
\par }
{\SH {\IT{ע (Ayin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{17}Our eyes continually failed us

\par }{\Q as we looked in vain for help.

\par }{\Q From our watchtowers we watched

\par }{\Q for a nation that could not rescue us.


\par }{\SH צ ({\IT{Tsade}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{18}Our enemies hunted us down at every step

\par }{\Q so that we could not walk about in our streets.

\par }{\Q Our end drew near, our days were numbered,

\par }{\Q for our end had come!


\par }{\SH ק ({\IT{Qof}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}Those who pursued us were swifter

\par }{\Q than eagles in the sky.

\par }{\Q They chased us over the mountains;

\par }{\Q they ambushed us in the wilderness.


\par }{\SH ר ({\IT{Resh}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{20}Our very life breath – the
{\ND{Lord}}’s anointed king –

\par }{\Q was caught in their traps,

\par }{\Q of whom we thought,

\par }{\Q “Under his protection we will survive among the nations.”


\par }{\SH The Prophet Speaks:
\par }
{\SH {\IT{ש (Sin/Shin}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{21}Rejoice and be glad for now, O people of Edom,

\par }{\Q who reside in the land of Uz.

\par }{\Q But the cup of judgment will pass to you also;

\par }{\Q you will get drunk and take off your clothes.


\par }{\SH ת ({\IT{Tav}})
\par }
{\Q \VS{22}O people of Zion, your punishment will come to an end;

\par }{\Q he will not prolong your exile.

\par }{\Q But, O people of Edom, he will punish your sin

\par }{\Q and reveal your offenses!




\par }\Chap{5}{\PP \par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}O
{\ND{Lord}}, reflect on what has happened to us;

\par }{\Q consider and look at our disgrace.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Our inheritance is turned over to strangers;

\par }{\Q foreigners now occupy our homes.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}We have become fatherless orphans;

\par }{\Q our mothers have become widows.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}We must pay money for our own water;

\par }{\Q we must buy our own wood at a steep price.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}We are pursued – they are breathing down our necks;

\par }{\Q we are weary and have no rest.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}We have submitted to Egypt and Assyria

\par }{\Q in order to buy food to eat.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Our forefathers sinned and are dead,

\par }{\Q but we suffer their punishment.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Slaves rule over us;

\par }{\Q there is no one to rescue us from their power.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}At the risk of our lives we get our food

\par }{\Q because robbers lurk in the countryside.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Our skin is hot as an oven

\par }{\Q due to a fever from hunger.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}They raped women in Zion,

\par }{\Q virgins in the towns of Judah.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Princes were hung by their hands;

\par }{\Q elders were mistreated.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The young men perform menial labor;

\par }{\Q boys stagger from their labor.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The elders are gone from the city gate;

\par }{\Q the young men have stopped playing their music.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Our hearts no longer have any joy;

\par }{\Q our dancing is turned to mourning.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The crown has fallen from our head;

\par }{\Q woe to us, for we have sinned!


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Because of this, our hearts are sick;

\par }{\Q because of these things, we can hardly see through our tears.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}For wild animals are prowling over Mount Zion,

\par }{\Q which lies desolate.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}But you, O
{\ND{Lord}}, reign forever;

\par }{\Q your throne endures from generation to generation.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Why do you keep on forgetting us?

\par }{\Q Why do you forsake us so long?


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Bring us back to yourself, O
{\ND{Lord}}, so that we may return to you;

\par }{\Q renew our life as in days before,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}unless you have utterly rejected us

\par }{\PP and are angry with us beyond measure.


\par }