Terrors of the Besieged City
2 ב Bet
Zion’s precious people—
once worth their weight in pure gold(B)—
how they are regarded as clay jars,
the work of a potter’s hands!
once worth their weight in pure gold(B)—
how they are regarded as clay jars,
the work of a potter’s hands!
3 ג Gimel
Even jackals offer their breasts
to nurse their young,
but my dear people have become cruel
like ostriches(C) in the wilderness.
to nurse their young,
but my dear people have become cruel
like ostriches(C) in the wilderness.
4 ד Dalet
The nursing infant’s tongue
clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst.(D)
Little children beg for bread,
but no one gives them any.
clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst.(D)
Little children beg for bread,
but no one gives them any.
5 ה He
Those who used to eat delicacies
are destitute in the streets;
those who were reared in purple garments(E)
huddle in garbage heaps.
are destitute in the streets;
those who were reared in purple garments(E)
huddle in garbage heaps.
6 ו Vav
The punishment of my dear people
is greater than that of Sodom,(F)
which was overthrown in an instant
without a hand laid on it.
is greater than that of Sodom,(F)
which was overthrown in an instant
without a hand laid on it.
7 ז Zayin
8 ח Khet
Now they appear darker than soot;(G)
they are not recognized in the streets.
Their skin has shriveled on their bones;
it has become dry like wood.
they are not recognized in the streets.
Their skin has shriveled on their bones;
it has become dry like wood.
9 ט Tet
Those slain by the sword are better off
than those slain by hunger,
who waste away, pierced with pain
because the fields lack produce.
than those slain by hunger,
who waste away, pierced with pain
because the fields lack produce.
10 י Yod
11 כ Kaf
The Lord has exhausted His wrath,
poured out His burning anger;
He has ignited a fire in Zion,
and it has consumed her foundations.(J)
poured out His burning anger;
He has ignited a fire in Zion,
and it has consumed her foundations.(J)
12 ל Lamed
The kings of the earth
and all the world’s inhabitants did not believe
that an enemy or adversary
could enter Jerusalem’s gates.(K)
and all the world’s inhabitants did not believe
that an enemy or adversary
could enter Jerusalem’s gates.(K)
13 מ Mem
Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets
and the guilt of her priests,
who shed the blood of the righteous
within her.(L)
and the guilt of her priests,
who shed the blood of the righteous
within her.(L)
14 נ Nun
15 ס Samek
16 פ Pe
The Lord Himself has scattered them;
He regards them no more.
The priests are not respected;
the elders find no favor.
He regards them no more.
The priests are not respected;
the elders find no favor.
17 ע Ayin
18 צ Tsade
Our steps were closely followed
so that we could not walk in our streets.
Our end drew near;(R) our time ran out.
Our end had come!
so that we could not walk in our streets.
Our end drew near;(R) our time ran out.
Our end had come!
19 ק Qof
Those who chased us were swifter
than eagles in the sky;(S)
they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains
and ambushed us in the wilderness.
than eagles in the sky;(S)
they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains
and ambushed us in the wilderness.
20 ר Resh
21 שׂ Sin
Footnotes:
a.
Lamentations 4:1: Or The sacred gems
b.
Lamentations 4:7: Lit bones
c.
Lamentations 4:7: Or lapis lazuli
d.
Lamentations 4:17: Probably Egypt
e.
Lamentations 4:20: King Zedekiah
f.
Lamentations 4:20: Lit nostrils
g.
Lamentations 4:22: Or not deport you again