\NormalFont\ShortTitle{LAMENTATIONS}
{\MTB This book contains the account of Jeremiah’s sorrow because of God punishing Israel. We call this book
\par }{\MT Lamentations

\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The sorrows of the people of Jerusalem
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Jerusalem
was
{\ADD{
once}}
full
of
people,
\par }{\QB but
now
it
is
deserted.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Once}}
it
was
honored
by
people
all
over
the
world,
\par }{\QB but
now
it
is
{\ADD{
grieving/abandoned}}
like [SIM]
a
widow.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Once}}
it
was
{\ADD{
honored
like}} [MET]
a
princess
{\ADD{
is
honored}}
among
the
nations,
\par }{\QB but
now
{\ADD{
we
who
live
here}}
have
become
slaves.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}We [PRS]
weep
bitterly
{\ADD{
all}}
night
long,
\par }{\QB with
tears
flowing
down
our
cheeks.
\par }{\Q Among
{\ADD{
the
people
in}}
all
{\ADD{
the
nations}}
that
loved
Jerusalem
\par }{\QB there
are
none
that
comfort
us
{\ADD{
now}}.
\par }{\Q All
{\ADD{
the
rulers
of
those
nations
that
were
previously}}
our
allies
have
betrayed
us,
\par }{\QB and
they
are
all
now
enemies
{\ADD{
of
the
people
of
Jerusalem}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{
The
people
of}}
Judah
have
been ◄exiled/forced
to
go
to
other
countries►
\par }{\QB and
caused
to
suffer
greatly
as
slaves.
\par }{\Q They
live
in
{\ADD{
other}}
nations
\par }{\QB where
they
do
not
have
peace/safety.
\par }{\Q Their
enemies
seized
them,
\par }{\QB and
there
was
no
way
for
them
to
escape.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}The
roads
to
Zion
{\ADD{
Hill}}
are
empty [PRS]
\par }{\QB because
no
one
comes
{\ADD{
here}}
to
{\ADD{
celebrate}}
the
sacred
festivals.
\par }{\Q The
city
gates
are
deserted,
\par }{\QB and
the
priests
groan.
\par }{\Q The
young
women
{\ADD{
of
Jerusalem}}
cry
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because}}
they
are
suffering
greatly.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Our
enemies
have
conquered
the
city,
\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{
now}}
they
prosper.
\par }{\Q Yahweh
has
punished
{\ADD{
the
people
of}}
Jerusalem
\par }{\QB because
of
all
the
sins
that
they
have
committed.
\par }{\Q The
children
{\ADD{
of
Jerusalem}}
have
been
captured
\par }{\QB and
taken
{\ADD{
to
other
countries}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}Jerusalem
was
a
beautiful
city,
\par }{\QB but
it
is
not
beautiful
now.
\par }{\Q The
leaders
{\ADD{
of
the
city}}
are
like [SIM]
deer
that
are starving
\par }{\QB because
of
being
unable
to
find
any
grass
{\ADD{
to
eat}}.
\par }{\Q They
are
very
weak,
\par }{\QB with
the
result
that
they
are
unable
to
run
from
their
enemies.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}{\ADD{
The
people
of}}
Jerusalem
are
sad
and
scattered,
\par }{\QB and
they
think
about
the
previous
greatness
of
the
city.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
But
now}}
our
enemies
have
captured
the
city,
\par }{\QB and
there
is
no
one
to
help
the
people.
\par }{\Q Our
enemies
destroyed
the
city
\par }{\QB and
laughed
while
they
were
doing
that.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{
The
people
of}} [PRS]
Jerusalem
have
sinned
very
much;
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
it
is
as
though}} [MET]
the
city
has
become
{\ADD{
like}}
a
filthy
{\ADD{
rag}}.
\par }{\Q All
those
who
{\ADD{
previously}}
honored
the
city
{\ADD{
now}}
despise
it,
\par }{\QB because
they
see
that
it
has
become
very
disgraced [MET].
\par }{\Q Now
{\ADD{
the
people
of}}
the
city
groan,
\par }{\QB and
they
cover
their
faces
{\ADD{
because
they
are
very
ashamed}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}The
city
has
become
filthy
because
of [PRS]
the
sins
that
the
people
have
committed;
\par }{\QB they
did
not
think
about
what
could
happen
to
the
city.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Now}}
the
city
has
been
destroyed,
\par }{\QB and
there
is
no
one
to
comfort
{\ADD{
the
people}}.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
The
people
cry
out
saying}}, “Yahweh,
look
at
how
we
are
suffering
\par }{\QB because
our
enemies
have
defeated
us!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}Our
enemies
have
taken
away
all
our
treasures,
\par }{\QB all
the
valuable
things
that
we
owned.
\par }{\Q We
have
seen
{\ADD{
soldiers
from
other}}
nations,
{\ADD{
men
who
do
not
worship
Yahweh}},
enter
our
sacred
temple,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
the
place}}
where
foreigners/non-Israelis
were ◄forbidden/not
allowed►
to
enter.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}The
people
of
the
city
groan
\par }{\QB while
they
search
for
food;
\par }{\Q they
have
given
their
treasures
\par }{\QB to
get
food
{\ADD{
to
eat}}
to
remain
alive.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
They
say}}, “Yahweh,
look
{\ADD{
at
us}},
\par }{\QB and
see
that
we
are
despised!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}You
people
who
pass
by,
\par }{\QB you
do
not [RHQ]
seem
to
care
at
all
{\ADD{
about
what
has
happened
to
us}}.
\par }{\Q Look
around
and
see
\par }{\QB that
there
are
no
other [RHQ]
people
who
are
suffering
like
we
are.
\par }{\Q Yahweh
has
caused
us
to
suffer
\par }{\QB because
he
was
extremely
angry
{\ADD{
with
us}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
sent
a
fire
from
heaven [MTY]
\par }{\QB that
burned
in
our
bones;
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
it
is
as
though}} [MET]
he
has
placed
a
trap
for
our
feet,
\par }{\QB and
has
prevented
us
from
walking
any
further.
\par }{\Q He
has
abandoned
us;
\par }{\QB we
are
weak/miserable
{\ADD{
every
day}},
all
day
long.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}He
caused
the
sins
that
we
have
committed
to
be
{\ADD{
like}}
a
heavy
load
for
us
to
carry;
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
it
is
as
though}} [MET]
he
tied
them
around
our
necks.
\par }{\Q Previously
we
were
strong,
\par }{\QB but
he
has
caused
us
to
become
weak.
\par }{\Q He
has
allowed
our
enemies
to
capture
us,
\par }{\QB and
we
were
not
able
to
do
anything
to
resist
them.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}Yahweh
looked
at
our
mighty
soldiers
\par }{\QB and
laughed
at
them.
\par }{\Q He
has
summoned
a
great
army
\par }{\QB to
{\ADD{
come
and}}
crush
our
young
soldiers.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
It
is
as
though}} [MET]
Yahweh
has
trampled
on
{\ADD{
us}}
people
of
Judah
\par }{\QB like [SIM]
{\ADD{
people
trample}}
on
grapes
in
a
pit
{\ADD{
to
make
wine}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}I
weep
because
of
{\ADD{
all}}
those
things;
\par }{\QB my
eyes
are
filled
with
tears.
\par }{\Q There
is
no
one
to
comfort
me;
\par }{\QB those
who
could
encourage
me
are
far
away.
\par }{\Q Our
enemies
have
conquered
{\ADD{
us}},
\par }{\QB so
our
children
have
nothing
good
to ◄hope
for/expect
to
happen►.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}{\ADD{
We
people
of}} [PRS]
Jerusalem
reach
out
our
hands
{\ADD{
to
get
help}},
\par }{\QB but
there
is
no
one
to
comfort
us.
\par }{\Q Yahweh
has
decided
concerning
{\ADD{
us
descendants
of}}
Jacob
\par }{\QB that
the
people
in
nearby
nations
will
become
our
enemies;
\par }{\Q so
they
consider
that
\par }{\QB Jerusalem
has
become
{\ADD{
like}} [MET]
a
filthy
rag.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}But
what
Yahweh
has
done
{\ADD{
to
us}}
is
fair,
\par }{\QB because
we
have
rebelled
against
obeying
the
commands
that
he
gave
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\Q You
people
everywhere,
listen
{\ADD{
to
us}};
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
look
and}}
see
that
we
are
suffering
{\ADD{
greatly}}.
\par }{\Q We
had
{\ADD{
many}}
sons
and
daughters,
\par }{\QB but
they
have
been
captured
and
forced
to
go
to
distant
countries.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}We
pleaded
with
our
allies
{\ADD{
to
help
us}},
\par }{\QB but
they
{\ADD{
all}}
refused.
\par }{\Q Our
priests
and
our
leaders
\par }{\QB have
died
{\ADD{
from
hunger}}
in
the
city
\par }{\Q while
they
were
searching
for
food
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
to
eat}}
to
remain
alive.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}Yahweh,
see
that
we
are
suffering
very
much.
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
our
inner
beings
are
tormented.
\par }{\Q We
are
sad [SYN]
\par }{\QB because
we
have
rebelled
{\ADD{
against
you}}.
\par }{\Q Our
enemies
kill
people
in
the
streets
with
their
swords;
\par }{\QB people
are
dying
{\ADD{
because
they
have
no
food
to
eat}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}People
have
heard
us
while
we
groaned,
\par }{\QB but
no
one
{\ADD{
came
to}}
comfort
us.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Yahweh,}}
you
caused
us
to
experience
this
{\ADD{
disaster}},
\par }{\QB and
our
enemies
are
happy
to
see
what
you
have
done
{\ADD{
to
us}}.
\par }{\Q But
cause
it
soon
to
be
the
time
that
you
have
promised,
\par }{\QB when
our
enemies
will
suffer
like
we
have
suffered!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{
Yahweh,}}
see
all
the
evil
things
that
they
have
done
\par }{\QB and
punish
them!
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Punish
them}}
like
you
have
punished
us
\par }{\QB for
all
the
sins
that
we
committed!
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
We
say
this
to
you}}
because
we
suffer
and
groan
very
much,
\par }{\QB and
we ◄faint/are
very
sad►.

\par }\Chap{2}{\SH Yahweh punished Jerusalem
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Yahweh
was
extremely
angry
{\ADD{
with
us}};
\par }{\QB as
a
result,
{\ADD{
it
was
as
though}} [MET]
he
covered
Jerusalem
with
a
dark
cloud.
\par }{\Q Previously
it
was
a
beautiful/glorious
city,
\par }{\QB but
he
has
caused
it
to
become
a
ruins.
\par }{\Q At
the
time
he
punished [MET]
Israel,
\par }{\QB he
{\ADD{
even}}
abandoned
his
temple [MET]
{\ADD{
in
Jerusalem}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}Yahweh
destroyed
the
homes
of
{\ADD{
the
people
of}} [PRS]
Judah;
\par }{\QB he
did
not
act mercifully.
\par }{\Q Because
he
was
very
angry,
\par }{\QB he
broke
down
the
fortresses
of
Judah.
\par }{\Q He
has
caused
our
kingdom
and
our
rulers
to
become
disgraced,
\par }{\QB and
he
has
gotten
rid
of
them.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Because
he
was
extremely
angry,
\par }{\QB he
has
caused
Israel
to
not
be
powerful [MET]
anymore.
\par }{\Q He
has
refused
to
assist
us
\par }{\QB when
our
enemies
attacked
us.
\par }{\Q He
has
destroyed
Israel
\par }{\QB like [SIM]
a
raging
fire
destroys
everything.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}He
bent
his
bow
{\ADD{
to
prepare
to
shoot
us,
his
people}},
\par }{\QB as
though
we
were
his
enemies.
\par }{\Q He
{\ADD{
prepared
to}}
kill
the
people
whom
we
love
the
most [MET],
\par }{\QB members
of
our
own
families.
\par }{\Q He
is
extremely
angry [MTY]
with
us
people
of
Jerusalem;
\par }{\QB his
anger
is
like [SIM]
a
fire.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Yahweh
has
become
like
an
enemy
\par }{\QB to
{\ADD{
us}} Israelis;
\par }{\Q he
has
destroyed
our
palaces
\par }{\QB and
caused
our
fortresses
to
become
ruins.
\par }{\Q He
has
gotten
rid
of
many
people
in
Jerusalem,
\par }{\QB and
caused
us
to
mourn
and
weep
{\ADD{
for
those
who
were
killed}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}He
has
caused
his
temple
to
be
smashed
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
as
easily}}
as [SIM]
if
it
was
a
shelter
in
a
garden.
\par }{\Q He
has
caused
{\ADD{
us,
his
people}},
to
forget
\par }{\QB all
our
sacred
festivals
and
Sabbath
days.
\par }{\Q He
has
caused
{\ADD{
our}}
kings
and
priests
to
be
rejected
\par }{\QB because
he
was
extremely
angry
with
them.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}Yahweh
has
rejected
his
own
altar
\par }{\QB and
abandoned
his
temple.
\par }{\Q He
has
allowed
{\ADD{
our}}
enemies
to
tear
down
the
walls
\par }{\QB of
{\ADD{
our
temple
and}}
our
palaces.
\par }{\Q They
shout
{\ADD{
victoriously}}
in
the
temple
of
Yahweh,
\par }{\QB like
we
{\ADD{
previously
shouted}}
during
our
sacred
festivals.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}Yahweh
was
determined
\par }{\QB to
cause
the
walls
of
our
city [MTY]
to
be
torn
down.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
It
was
as
though}}
he
measured
the
walls
\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{
then
he
completely}}
destroyed [MTY]
them.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
It
was
as
though}}
he
caused
the
towers
and
walls
to
lament/weep,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because
they
were
now
ruins}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}The
city
gates
have
collapsed;
\par }{\QB the
bars
that
fastened
the
gates
shut
have
been
smashed.
\par }{\Q The
king
and
his
officials
have
{\ADD{
been
forced
to}}
go
to
other
countries.
\par }{\QB No
longer
does
anyone
teach
the
people
the
laws
{\ADD{
that
God
gave
to
Moses}}.
\par }{\Q The
prophets
do
not
receive
any
visions
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because}}
Yahweh
does
not
give
them
any.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}The
old
men
of
Jerusalem [MTY]
sit
on
the
ground,
\par }{\QB and
they
say
nothing.
\par }{\Q They
wear
rough
sackcloth
\par }{\QB and
throw
dust
on
their
heads
{\ADD{
to
show
that
they
are
sad}}.
\par }{\Q The
young
girls
of
Jerusalem
bow
down
{\ADD{sorrowfully}},
\par }{\QB their
faces
touching
the
ground.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}My
eyes
are
very
tired
because
of
my
tears;
\par }{\QB I
am
very
grieved
in
my
soul.
\par }{\Q Because
{\ADD{
very
many
of}}
my
people
have
been
killed,
\par }{\QB I
grieve
and
am
exhausted.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Even}}
children
and
babies
are
fainting
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
and
dying}}
in
the
streets
{\ADD{
because
they
have
no
food}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}They
cry
out
to
their
mothers,
\par }{\QB “We
need [RHQ]
something
to
eat
and
drink!”
\par }{\Q They
faint
like
wounded
men
\par }{\QB in
the
streets
of
the
city.
\par }{\Q They slowly
die
\par }{\QB in
the
arms
of
their
mothers.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}You
people
of
Jerusalem [MTY, DOU],
\par }{\QB ◄what
can
I/there
is
nothing
that
I
can►
say
{\ADD{
to
help
you}}.
\par }{\Q No
people
have [RHQ]
suffered
like
you
are
suffering;
\par }{\QB I
do
not
know
what
I
can
do
to
comfort
you.
\par }{\Q The
disaster [MET]
that
you
have
experienced
is
as
great
\par }{\QB as
the
ocean
is
deep;
\par }{\QB there
is
no
one [RHQ]
who
can
restore
your
{\ADD{
city}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}The
prophets
among
you
claimed
that
they
had
seen
visions
{\ADD{
from
Yahweh}},
\par }{\QB but
what
they
said
was
false
and
worthless.
\par }{\Q They
did
not
save
you
from
being ◄exiled/forced
to
go
to
other
countries►,
\par }{\QB because
they
did
not
proclaim
that
you
had
sinned.
\par }{\Q Instead,
the
messages
that
they
gave
you
deceived
you
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because}}
they
were
not
true.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}All
those
who
pass
by
you
\par }{\QB make fun
of [IDM]
you;
\par }{\Q they
shake
their
heads
\par }{\QB and
they
hiss/sneer
at
you.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
They
say}}, “Is
this
that
great
city
of
Jerusalem?
\par }{\QB Is
it
the
city
that
was
the
most
beautiful
city
in
the
world,
\par }{\QB the
city
that
caused
all
{\ADD{
the
people
on}}
the
earth
to
be
joyful?”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{
Now}}
all
our
enemies
scoff [IDM]
at
you;
\par }{\QB they
hiss/sneer
{\ADD{
at
you}}
and
gnash
their
teeth
{\ADD{
to
show
that
they
hate
you}}.
\par }{\Q They
say, “We
have
destroyed
them!
\par }{\QB This
is
what
we
longed/waited
for,
\par }{\QB and
now
it
has
happened!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}Yahweh
has
done
what
he
planned;
\par }{\QB long
ago
he
threatened
to
destroy
you,
\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{
now}}
he
has
done
it.
\par }{\Q He
has
destroyed
{\ADD{
your
city}}
without
acting mercifully
{\ADD{
toward
you}};
\par }{\QB he
has
enabled
your
enemies
to
he
happy
about
defeating
you;
\par }{\QB he
has
enabled
your
enemies
to
{\ADD{
continually}}
become
stronger.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}I
wish/desire
that
the
walls
of
Jerusalem [APO]
\par }{\QB would
cry
out
to
Yahweh!
\par }{\Q You
people
of
Jerusalem [MET],
\par }{\QB Cry
day
and
night!
\par }{\QB Let
your
tears
flow
like
rivers.
\par }{\Q Do
not
stop
grieving;
\par }{\QB do
not
stop
crying.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}Get
up
{\ADD{
every}}
night
and
cry
out;
\par }{\QB tell
Yahweh
what
you
are feeling.
\par }{\Q Raise
your
arms
to
plead
to
him
\par }{\QB to
act mercifully
to
prevent
our
children
from
dying;
\par }{\Q they
are
fainting
on
the
street
corners
\par }{\QB because
they
have
no
food
to
eat.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}Yahweh,
look,
and
think
{\ADD{
about
it}}!
\par }{\QB Have
you
ever [RHQ]
caused
people
to
suffer
like
this
before?
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
It
is
certainly
not
right
that}} [RHQ]
women
are
eating
the
flesh
of
their
own
children,
\par }{\QB the
children
whom
they
have
always
taken
care
of!
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
It
is
not
right
that}} [RHQ]
priests
and
prophets
are
being
killed
\par }{\QB in
your
own
temple!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{
The
corpses
of}}
people
of
all
ages
lie
in
the
streets;
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
there
are
even
corpses
of}}
young
men
and
young
women
who
have
been
killed
by
{\ADD{
our
enemies’}}
swords.
\par }{\Q Because
you
were
very
angry,
\par }{\QB you
caused
them
to
be
killed;
\par }{\Q you
have
slaughtered
them
\par }{\QB without pitying
them
{\ADD{
at
all}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}You
summoned
our
enemies
to
attack
us
from
every
direction,
\par }{\QB as
though
you
were
calling/inviting
them
to
come
to
a
feast.
\par }{\Q At
that
time
when
{\ADD{
you
showed
that}}
you
were
very
angry,
\par }{\QB no
one
escaped.
\par }{\Q Our
enemies
murdered
{\ADD{
our
little
children,}}
\par }{\QB ones
whom
we
took
care
of
and
reared/brought
up.

\par }\Chap{3}{\SH Hope in the midst of distress
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}I
{\ADD{,
the
one
who
am
writing
this,}}
am
a
man
who
has
been
afflicted/punished [MTY]
by
Yahweh
\par }{\QB because
he
was
angry.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{
It
was
as
though}}
he
caused
me
to
walk
in
a
very
dark
place
\par }{\QB without
any
light
{\ADD{
at
all}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{3}He
has
punished [IDM]
me
many
times,
\par }{\QB all
day,
{\ADD{
every}}
day.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}He
has
caused
my
skin
and
my
flesh
to
become
old.
\par }{\QB He
has
broken
my
bones.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}He
has
surrounded
me [DOU]
\par }{\QB with
bitterness
and
suffering.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
has
buried
me
in
a
dark
place
\par }{\QB like [SIM]
{\ADD{
the
graves
of}}
those
who
have
been
dead
for
a
long
time.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}} [MET]
he
has
built
a
wall
around
me,
\par }{\QB and
fastened/tied
me
with
heavy
chains,
\par }{\QB and
I
cannot
escape.
\par }{\Q \VS{8}Although
I
call
out
and
cry
out
for
him
to
help
me,
\par }{\QB he
does
not
pay
attention
to
my
prayers.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
has
blocked
my
path
with
a
{\ADD{
high}}
stone
{\ADD{
wall}}
\par }{\QB and
has
caused
my
path
to
become
crooked.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}He
has
waited
to
attack
me
\par }{\QB like [SIM]
a
bear
or
a
lion
hides
and
waits
{\ADD{
to
attack
other
animals}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
has
dragged
me
off
the
path
and ◄mauled
me/torn
me
into
pieces►,
\par }{\QB and
left
me
without
help.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}} [MET]
he
bent
his
bow
and
caused
me
to
become
the
target
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
at
which
he
shot}}
his
arrows.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
shot
his
arrows
deep
into
my
body.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}All
my
relatives
laugh
at
me;
\par }{\QB all
day,
{\ADD{
every}}
day
they
sing
songs
that
make fun
of
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}He
has
filled
me
with ◄bitterness/great
suffering►,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
like}} [MET]
someone
who
drinks
a
very
bitter
liquid
suffers.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
he
has
caused
me
to
chew
gravel
that
broke
my
teeth,
\par }{\QB and
he
has
trampled
me
in
the
dirt.
\par }{\Q \VS{17}Things
no
longer
go
well
for
me;
\par }{\QB I
no
longer
remember
being
prosperous.
\par }{\Q \VS{18}I
{\ADD{
continued
to}}
say
{\ADD{
to
myself}}, “I
no
longer
expect
to
live
much
longer;
\par }{\QB I
no
longer
confidently
expect
{\ADD{
to
receive
good
things}}
from
Yahweh!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}When
I
think
about
my
suffering
and
my
wandering
{\ADD{
away
from
home}},
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
it
is
like
drinking}}
a
very
bitter [DOU]
liquid.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}I
will
never
forget
this
time
\par }{\QB when
I
feel
very
depressed/discouraged [IDM].
\par }{\Q \VS{21}However,
I
confidently
expect
{\ADD{
Yahweh
to
do
good
things
for
me
again}}
\par }{\QB when
I
think
about
this:
\par }{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh
never
stops
faithfully
loving
{\ADD{
us}},
\par }{\QB and
he
never
stops
being
kind
to
us.
\par }{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{
He
is
the
one
whom
we
can}}
always
trust/lean
on.
\par }{\QB Every
morning
he
is
merciful
{\ADD{
to
us
again}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{24}{\ADD{
So}}
I
say
to
myself, “Yahweh
is
all
that
I
need;
\par }{\QB so
I
will
confidently
wait
for
him
{\ADD{
to
do
good
things
for
me}}.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{25}Yahweh
is
good
to
{\ADD{
all}}
those
who
depend
on
him,
\par }{\QB to
those
who
seek
his
{\ADD{
help}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{26}{\ADD{
So}}
it
is
good
for
us
to
wait
quietly
\par }{\QB for
Yahweh
to
save/rescue
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{27}And
it
is
good
for
us
to
{\ADD{
patiently}}
endure
{\ADD{
suffering}}
\par }{\QB while
we
are
young.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{28}Those
{\ADD{
who
seek
his
help}}
should
sit
by
themselves,
silently,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
knowing
that}}
it
is
Yahweh
who
has
allowed/caused
them
to
suffer.
\par }{\Q \VS{29}They
should
lie
in
the
dirt,
with
their
faces
on
the
ground,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because}}
they
can
still
hope
{\ADD{
that
Yahweh
will
help
them}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{30}If
someone
strikes
us
on
one
cheek,
\par }{\QB we
should
turn
the
other
cheek
toward
that
person
{\ADD{
in
order
that
he
may
strike
it,
too}},
\par }{\QB and
accept/endure
it
when
we
are
insulted.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{31}Yahweh
does
not
abandon
{\ADD{
us
his
people}}
forever.
\par }{\Q \VS{32}Sometimes
he
causes
us
to
suffer,
\par }{\QB but
sometimes
he
is
kind
{\ADD{
to
us}}
\par }{\Q because
he
continually
and
faithfully
loves
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{33}And
he
is
not
happy
about
causing
human
beings
to
suffer
\par }{\QB or
to
be
sad.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{34}If
people ◄mistreat
all
the
prisoners/crush
all
the
prisoners
under
their
feet►
\par }{\Q \VS{35}or
if
they
rebel
against
God
\par }{\QB by
refusing
to
give
to
people
the
things
that
it
is
right
for
them
{\ADD{
to
receive}},
\par }{\Q \VS{36}or
if
they
cause
judges
to
decide
matters
unjustly,
\par }{\QB ◄does
Yahweh
not
see
all
those
things?/Yahweh
certainly
sees
all
those
things!► [RHQ]
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{37}No
one
can [RHQ]
command
something
to
happen
{\ADD{
and
then
cause
it
to
happen}}
\par }{\QB if
Yahweh
has
not
already
decided
that
it
should
happen.
\par }{\Q \VS{38}God
in
heaven [MTY]
is [RHQ]
the
one
who
causes
disasters
to
happen,
\par }{\QB and
he
{\ADD{
also}}
causes
good
things
to
happen.
\par }{\Q \VS{39}{\ADD{
So}}
it
is
certainly
not [RHQ]
right
for
us,
who
are
only humans,
to
complain
\par }{\QB when
he
punishes
us
for
the
sins
that
we
have
committed.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{40}Instead,
we
should ◄examine/think
carefully
about►
our
behavior;
\par }{\QB we
should
turn
back
to
Yahweh.
\par }{\Q \VS{41}We
should
pray [IDM]
sincerely
and
lift
up
our
arms
\par }{\QB toward
God
in
heaven,
{\ADD{
and
say,}}
\par }{\Q \VS{42}“We
have
sinned
and
rebelled
{\ADD{
against
you}},
\par }{\QB and
you
have
not
forgiven
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{43}You
have
surrounded
us
with
your
anger
and
pursued
us;
\par }{\QB you
have
slaughtered
{\ADD{
us}}
without pitying
us.
\par }{\Q \VS{44}You
have
hidden
yourself
in
a
cloud,
\par }{\QB with
the
result
that
you
do
not
hear
{\ADD{
us}}
when
we
pray.
\par }{\Q \VS{45}You
have
caused
{\ADD{
the
people
of
other}}
nations
to
consider
us
\par }{\QB to
be
only garbage [DOU].
\par }{\Q \VS{46}All
our
enemies
have
insulted
us.
\par }{\Q \VS{47}We
are
constantly
afraid [DOU],
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because}}
we
have
experienced
disasters
and
ruin [DOU].”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{48}I
cry
a
lot
\par }{\QB because
my
people
have
been
destroyed.
\par }{\Q \VS{49}My
tears
continually
flow;
\par }{\QB they
will
not
stop
\par }{\Q \VS{50}until
Yahweh
looks
down
from
heaven
and
sees
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{51}I
am
very
grieved
\par }{\QB because
of
{\ADD{
what
has
happened
to}}
the
women
of
my
city.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{52}Those
who
are
my
enemies
hunted
for
me
\par }{\QB like [SIM]
{\ADD{
people
hunt
for}}
a
bird
{\ADD{
to
kill
it}}
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
even
though}}
there
was
no
reason
{\ADD{
for
them
to
do
that}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{53}They
threw
me
into
a
pit
to
kill
me,
\par }{\QB and
they
threw
stones
on
top
of
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{54}The
water
{\ADD{
in
the
pit}}
rose
above
my
head,
\par }{\QB and
I
said
{\ADD{
to
myself}}, “I
am
about
to
die/drown!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{55}But
from
the
bottom
of
the
pit
I
cried
out
to
you [MTY],
\par }{\QB “Yahweh,
{\ADD{
help
me}}!”
\par }{\Q \VS{56}I
pleaded
with
you,
\par }{\QB “Do
not
refuse
to
heed [MTY]
me
while
I
cry
out
to
you!”
\par }{\Q \VS{57}Then
you
answered
me
\par }{\QB and
said, “Do
not
be
afraid!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{58}Yahweh,
you
defended
me;
\par }{\QB you
did
not
allow
me
to
die.
\par }{\Q \VS{59}{\ADD{
Now}},
Yahweh,
you
have
seen
the
evil
things
that
my
enemies
have
done
to
me,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
so}}
decide
my
case
{\ADD{
and
show
that
I
am
right}}!
\par }{\Q \VS{60}You
know
the
evil
things
\par }{\QB that
they
have
planned
to
do
to
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{61}Yahweh,
you
have
heard
them
insult
{\ADD{
me}}
\par }{\QB and
what
they
have
planned
to
do
to
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{62}Every
day
they
whisper
and
mutter
things
about
me,
\par }{\QB all
day
long.
\par }{\Q \VS{63}Look
at
them!
Whether
they
are
standing
or
sitting
\par }{\QB they
make fun
of
me
with
the
songs
that
they
sing.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{64}Yahweh,
cause
them
to
suffer
\par }{\QB in
return
for
their
causing
{\ADD{
me}}
to
suffer!
\par }{\Q \VS{65}Curse
them [IDM]
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
for}}
their
being
very
stubborn [IDM].
\par }{\Q \VS{66}Because
you
are
angry
with
them,
pursue
them
and
get
rid
of
them,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
until
none
of
them
remain}}
on
the
earth.

\par }\Chap{4}{\SH What happened when Jerusalem was destroyed
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}{\ADD{
Previously
our
people
were
like}} [MET]
pure
gold,
\par }{\QB but
now
they
are
worthless.
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
Like}} [MET]
the
sacred
stones
in
the
temple
have
been
scattered,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
our
young
men
have
been
scattered}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}The
young
men
of
Jerusalem
were
as
valuable
as [MET]
large
amounts
of
gold,
\par }{\QB but
now
people
consider
that
they
are
as
worthless
as
{\ADD{
ordinary}}
clay
pots.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Even
the
{\ADD{
female}}
jackals/wolves
feed
their pups,
\par }{\QB but
my
people
act
cruelly
{\ADD{
toward
their
children}};
\par }{\Q they
are
like [SIM]
ostriches
in
the
desert
{\ADD{
that
abandon
their
eggs}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{
My
people’s}} infants’
tongues
cling
to
the
roofs/tops
of
their
mouths
\par }{\QB because
they
are
{\ADD{
extremely}}
thirsty;
\par }{\Q the
children
plead
for
some
food,
\par }{\QB but
no
one
gives
them
{\ADD{
any}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}People
who
{\ADD{
previously}}
ate
fine
food
\par }{\QB are
{\ADD{
now}} starving
in
the
streets;
\par }{\Q those
who
previously
lived
luxuriously [MTY]
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
now}}
paw/dig
through
rubbish
heaps
{\ADD{
to
find
some
food}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}{\ADD{
The
people
of}}
Sodom
were
struck
with
a
disaster
very
suddenly,
\par }{\QB and
there
was
no
one
to
rescue
them;
\par }{\Q but
my
people
have
been
punished
\par }{\QB more
severely
than
{\ADD{
the
people
of}}
Sodom
were
punished.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}Our leaders’
{\ADD{
behavior}}
was
{\ADD{
previously}}
very
pure,
\par }{\QB whiter
{\ADD{
and
brighter}}
than
snow
and
milk;
\par }{\Q their
bodies
were redder
than
{\ADD{
red}}
coral/stones;
\par }{\QB they
were
very
strong
and
healthy [MET].
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}But
now
their
faces
are
blacker
than
soot,
\par }{\QB and
no
one
recognizes
them
in
the
streets.
\par }{\Q Their
skin
has
shriveled
on
their
bones,
\par }{\QB and
it
has
become
as
dry
as [SIM]
a
wooden
{\ADD{
stick}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}It
is
better
to
die
in
a
battle [MTY]
\par }{\QB than
to
die
of
hunger.
\par }{\Q There
was
no
food
to
harvest
in
the
fields,
\par }{\QB so
the
people slowly starved
until
they
died.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}Women
who
{\ADD{
usually/previously}}
were
very
kind
\par }{\QB have
{\ADD{
killed
and}}
cooked
their
own
children;
\par }{\Q they
ate
them
{\ADD{
when
there
was
no
other
food}},
\par }{\QB when
Jerusalem
was
surrounded
{\ADD{
by
enemy
soldiers}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}Yahweh
has
shown
that
he
was
extremely
angry;
\par }{\Q {\ADD{
it
is
as
though}}
he
started/ignited
a
fire
in
Jerusalem
\par }{\QB that
burned
everything
to
ashes.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}None
of
the
kings
on
the
earth
or
anyone
else
\par }{\QB believed
that
any
of
our
enemies
could
enter
the
gates
of
Jerusalem.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{
But
that
is
what
happened}};
\par }{\QB it
happened
because
the
prophets
sinned;
\par }{\Q and
the
priests
{\ADD{
also}}
sinned
\par }{\QB by
causing
innocent
people
to
be
executed [MTY].
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}The
prophets
and
priests
wandered
through
the
streets
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
as
though
they
were}}
blind.
\par }{\Q No
one
would
touch
them
\par }{\QB because
their
clothes
were
stained
with
the
blood
{\ADD{
of
people
who
had
been
killed}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}The
people
{\ADD{
who
were
alive}}
shouted, “Stay
away
{\ADD{
from
us}} [DOU]!
You
are
defiled/untouchable!
\par }{\QB Do
not
touch
us!”
\par }{\Q So
the
prophets
and
priests
fled
{\ADD{
from
Israel}},
\par }{\QB and
they
wandered
around
from
one
country
to
another,
\par }{\QB because
people
{\ADD{
in
each
country}}
kept
saying
to
them, “You
cannot
stay
here!”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}It
is
Yahweh
himself
who
has
scattered
them;
\par }{\QB he
no
longer
is
concerned
about
them.
\par }{\Q People
do
not
respect
{\ADD{
our}}
priests
or
leaders.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}We [SYN]
continued
to
look
for
someone
to
help
{\ADD{
us}},
\par }{\QB but
it
was
useless.
\par }{\Q We
continued
to
watch
to
see
if
one
of
our
allies
would
save
us,
\par }{\QB but
none
of
the
nations
that
we
were
waiting
for
could
help
{\ADD{
us}}.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}{\ADD{
Our}}
enemies
were
hunting
for
us,
\par }{\QB so
we
could
not
{\ADD{
even}}
walk
in
our
streets
{\ADD{
lest
they
seize
us}}.
\par }{\Q We
were
about
to
be
captured;
\par }{\QB it
was
time
for
us
to
be
killed.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}Those
who
pursued
us
were
faster
than
eagles
{\ADD{
flying}}
in
the
sky.
\par }{\Q Even
if
we
fled
to
the
mountains
\par }{\QB or
hid
in
the
desert,
\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{
went
there
ahead
of
us
and}}
waited
{\ADD{
to
attack}}
us.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{
Our
king,}}
whom
Yahweh
appointed,
\par }{\QB was
the
one
who
enabled
us
to
remain
alive [MTY];
\par }{\Q he
was
the
one
whom
we
trusted
to
protect
us [IDM]
\par }{\QB from
{\ADD{
the
armies
of}}
other
nations.
\par }{\Q But
he
was
{\ADD{
captured}}
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
like
animals
are}} [MET]
caught
in
a
pit.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}You
people
of [IDM]
Edom
and
Uz,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
you
may}}
be
happy
{\ADD{
about
what
is happening
to
us
now}},
\par }{\Q but
{\ADD{
Yahweh}}
will
be
punishing [MTY]
you
{\ADD{
also}}.
\par }{\QB You
will
become
drunk
and
will
be
ashamed
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
because
your
enemies}}
will
have
stripped
off
your
clothes.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}You
{\ADD{
people
of}} [APO]
Jerusalem,
\par }{\QB the
time
of
your
being
punished
will
end;
\par }{\Q Yahweh
will
not
allow
you
to
continue
to
live
in ◄exile/foreign
countries►.
\par }{\QB But
{\ADD{
you
people
of}} [APO]
Edom,
Yahweh
will
punish
{\ADD{
you}};
\par }{\QB he
will
reveal
the
wicked
things
that
you
have
done.

\par }\Chap{5}{\SH A prayer for God’s mercy
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Yahweh,
think
about
what
has
happened
to
us.
\par }{\QB See
that
we
have
been
disgraced.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Foreigners
have
seized
our
property,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
and
now}}
they
live
in
our
homes.
\par }{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{
Our
enemies}}
have
killed
our
fathers;
\par }{\QB they
caused
our
mothers
to
become
widows.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{
Now}}
we
are
required
to
pay
for
water
to
drink,
\par }{\QB and
we
must
pay
{\ADD{
a
lot
of
money}}
for
firewood.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}}
those
who
pursue
us
are
at
our
heels;
\par }{\QB we
are
exhausted,
but
they
do
not
allow
us
to
rest.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}In
order
to
get
enough
food
{\ADD{
to
remain
alive}},
\par }{\QB we
went
to
Egypt
and
Assyria
and
offered
to
work
{\ADD{
for
the
people
there}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}Our
ancestors
sinned,
and
now
they
are
dead,
\par }{\QB but
we
are
being
punished
for
the
sins
that
they
committed.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{
Officials
from
Babylon}}
who
were
{\ADD{
previously}}
slaves
{\ADD{
now}}
rule
over
us,
\par }{\QB and
there
is
no
one
who
can
rescue
us
from
their
power.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}When
we
roam
around
in
the
desert
searching
for
food,
we
are
in
danger
of
being
killed,
\par }{\QB because
people
there
kill
strangers
with
their
swords.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}Our
skin
has
become
hot
like [SIM]
an
oven,
\par }{\QB and
we
have
a
very
high
fever
because
we
are
extremely
hungry.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{
Our
enemies}}
have
raped
the
women
in
Jerusalem,
\par }{\QB {\ADD{
and
they
have
done
that
to}}
the
young
women
in
{\ADD{
all}}
the
towns
of
Judea.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{
Our
enemies}}
have
hanged
our
leaders,
\par }{\QB and
they
do
not
respect
our
elders.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}They
force
our
young
men
to
grind
{\ADD{
flour}}
with
millstones,
\par }{\QB and
boys
stagger
while
they
{\ADD{
are
forced
to}}
carry
{\ADD{
heavy}}
loads
of
firewood.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}{\ADD{
Our}}
elders
no
longer
sit
at
the
city
gates
{\ADD{
to
make
important
decisions}};
\par }{\QB the
young
men
no
longer
play
their
musical
{\ADD{
instruments}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}We [SYN]
are
no
longer
joyful;
\par }{\QB instead
of
dancing
{\ADD{
joyfully}},
we
now
mourn.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}The
wreaths
{\ADD{
of
flowers}}
have
fallen
off
our
heads.
\par }{\QB Terrible
things
have
happened
to
us
because
of
the
sins
that
we
committed.
\par }{\Q \VS{17}We [SYN]
are
tired
and
discouraged [IDM],
\par }{\QB and
we
cannot
see
well
because
our
eyes
are
{\ADD{
full
of
tears}}.
\par }{\Q \VS{18}Jerusalem
is
{\ADD{
completely}}
deserted,
\par }{\QB and
jackals/wolves
prowl
around
it.
\par }{\Q \VS{19}But
Yahweh,
you
rule
forever!
\par }{\QB You
continue
to
rule [MTY]
from
one
generation
to
the
next
generation.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{
So}}
why [RHQ]
have
you
forgotten
us?
\par }{\QB Why [RHQ]
have
you
abandoned
us
for
a
very
long
time?
\par }{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{
Please}}
enable
us
to
return
to
you,
\par }{\QB and
enable
us
to
prosper [MTY]
as
we
did
previously.
\par }{\Q \VS{22}Please
do
that,
because
we
hope
that [RHQ]
you
have
not
rejected
us
forever
\par }{\QB and
that [RHQ]
you
do
not
continue
to
be
extremely
angry
with
us!
\par }