Others sat in darkness and gloom—
prisoners in cruel chains—

When they are diminished and are humbled
by cruel oppression and sorrow,

Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others
and your years to someone cruel;

A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.

A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

An evil man seeks only rebellion;
a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

Fury is cruel, and anger a flood,
but who can withstand jealousy?

For man certainly does not know his time: like fish caught in a cruel net or like birds caught in a trap, so people are trapped in an evil time as it suddenly falls on them.

Look, the day of the Lord is coming—
cruel, with rage and burning anger—
to make the earth a desolation
and to destroy the sinners on it.

They grasp bow and javelin.
They are cruel and show no mercy.
Their voice roars like the sea,
and they ride on horses,
lined up like men in battle formation
against you, Daughter Zion.

All your lovers have forgotten you;
they no longer look for you,
for I have struck you as an enemy would,
with the discipline of someone cruel,
because of your enormous guilt
and your innumerable sins.

They grasp bow and javelin.
They are cruel and show no mercy.
Their voice roars like the sea,
and they ride on horses,
lined up like men in battle formation
against you, Daughter Babylon.

ג GimelEven jackals offer their breasts
to nurse their young,
but my dear people have become cruel
like ostriches in the wilderness.

Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.

Their anger is cursed, for it is strong,
and their fury, for it is cruel!
I will disperse them throughout Jacob
and scatter them throughout Israel.