\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Lamentations}
{\MTB The
\par }{\MT Lamentations
\par }{\MTB of Jeremiah

\par }\ChapOne{1}{\PP \VerseOne{1}How
the
city
sits solitary,
\par }{\QB that
was
full
of
people!
\par }{\Q She
has
become
as
a
widow,
\par }{\QB who
was
great
among
the
nations!
\par }{\Q She
who
was
a
princess
among
the
provinces
\par }{\QB has
become
a slave!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}She
weeps
bitterly
in
the
night.
\par }{\QB Her
tears
are
on
her
cheeks.
\par }{\Q Among
all
her
lovers
\par }{\QB she
has
no
one
to
comfort
her.
\par }{\Q All
her
friends
have
dealt
treacherously
with
her.
\par }{\QB They
have
become
her
enemies.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Judah
has
gone
into
captivity
because
of affliction
\par }{\QB and
because
of
great
servitude.
\par }{\Q She
dwells
among
the
nations.
\par }{\QB She
finds
no
rest.
\par }{\QB All
her
persecutors
overtook
her
in
her
distress.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}The
roads
to
Zion
mourn,
\par }{\QB because
no
one
comes
to
the solemn
assembly.
\par }{\Q All
her
gates
are
desolate.
\par }{\QB Her
priests
sigh.
\par }{\Q Her
virgins
are
afflicted,
\par }{\QB and
she
herself
is
in
bitterness.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Her adversaries
have
become
the
head.
\par }{\QB Her
enemies
prosper;
\par }{\Q for
Yahweh\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:5 }
“Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.}
has
afflicted
her
for
the
multitude
of
her
transgressions.
\par }{\QB Her young
children
have
gone
into
captivity
before
the adversary.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}All
majesty
has
departed
from
the
daughter
of Zion.
\par }{\QB Her
princes
have
become
like
deer
that
find
no
pasture.
\par }{\QB They
have
gone
without
strength
before
the
pursuer.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}Jerusalem
remembers
in
the
days
of
her affliction
and
of
her miseries
\par }{\QB all
her pleasant
things
that
were
from
the
days
of old;
\par }{\Q when
her
people
fell
into
the
hand
of
the adversary,
\par }{\QB and
no
one
helped
her.
\par }{\Q The adversaries
saw
her.
\par }{\QB They
mocked
at
her desolations.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}Jerusalem
has grievously
sinned.
\par }{\QB Therefore
she
has
become
unclean.
\par }{\Q All
who
honored
her despise
her,
\par }{\QB because
they
have
seen
her
nakedness.
\par }{\QB Yes,
she sighs
and
turns
backward.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}Her filthiness
was
in
her
skirts.
\par }{\QB She
didn’t
remember
her
latter
end.
\par }{\Q Therefore
she
has
come
down astoundingly.
\par }{\QB She
has
no
comforter.
\par }{\Q “See,
Yahweh,
my affliction;
\par }{\QB for
the
enemy
has
magnified
himself.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}The adversary
has
spread
out
his
hand
on
all
her
pleasant
things;
\par }{\QB for
she
has
seen
that
the
nations
have
entered
into
her
sanctuary,
\par }{\QB concerning
whom
you
commanded
that
they
should
not
enter
into
your
assembly.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}All
her
people
sigh.
\par }{\QB They
seek
bread.
\par }{\QB They
have
given
their pleasant
things
for
food
to refresh
their
soul.
\par }{\Q “Look,
Yahweh,
and
see,
\par }{\QB for
I
have
become despised.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}“Is
it
nothing
to
you,
all
you
who
pass
by?
\par }{\QB Look,
and
see
if
there
is
any
sorrow
like
my
sorrow,
\par }{\QB which
is brought
on
me,
\par }{\QB with
which
Yahweh
has
afflicted
me
in
the
day
of
his
fierce
anger.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}“From
on
high
has
he
sent
fire
into
my
bones,
\par }{\QB and
it prevails
against
them.
\par }{\Q He
has
spread
a
net
for
my
feet.
\par }{\QB He
has
turned
me
back.
\par }{\QB He
has
made
me
desolate
and
I
faint
all
day
long.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}“The
yoke
of
my
transgressions
is
bound
by
his
hand.
\par }{\QB They
are
knit
together.
\par }{\QB They
have
come
up
on
my
neck.
\par }{\QB He
made
my
strength
fail.
\par }{\Q The
Lord\FTNT{†}{{\FR 1:14 }
The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”}
has
delivered
me
into
their
hands,
\par }{\QB against whom
I am
not
able
to
stand.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}“The
Lord
has
set
at
nothing
all
my
mighty
men
within
me.
\par }{\QB He
has
called
a solemn
assembly
against
me
to
crush
my
young
men.
\par }{\QB The
Lord
has
trodden
the
virgin
daughter
of
Judah
as
in
a
wine
press.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}“For
these
things
I
weep.
\par }{\QB My
eye,
my
eye runs
down
with
water,
\par }{\QB because
the
comforter
who
should refresh
my
soul
is
far
from
me.
\par }{\Q My
children
are
desolate,
\par }{\QB because
the
enemy
has
prevailed.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}Zion
spreads
out
her
hands.
\par }{\QB There
is
no
one
to
comfort
her.
\par }{\Q Yahweh
has
commanded
concerning
Jacob,
\par }{\QB that
those
who
are
around
him
should
be
his adversaries.
\par }{\QB Jerusalem
is
among
them
as
an
unclean
thing.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}“Yahweh
is
righteous,
\par }{\QB for
I
have
rebelled
against
his
commandment.
\par }{\Q Please
hear
all
you
peoples,
\par }{\QB and
see
my
sorrow.
\par }{\QB My
virgins
and
my
young
men
have
gone
into
captivity.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}“I
called
for
my
lovers,
\par }{\QB but
they
deceived
me.
\par }{\Q My
priests
and
my
elders
gave
up
the
spirit
in
the
city,
\par }{\QB while
they
sought
food
for
themselves
to refresh
their
souls.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}“Look,
Yahweh;
for
I
am
in
distress.
\par }{\QB My
heart
is troubled.
\par }{\Q My
heart
turns
over
within
me,
\par }{\QB for
I
have grievously
rebelled.
\par }{\Q Abroad,
the
sword bereaves.
\par }{\QB At
home,
it
is
like
death.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}“They
have
heard
that
I
sigh.
\par }{\QB There
is
no
one
to
comfort
me.
\par }{\Q All
my
enemies
have
heard
of
my
trouble.
\par }{\QB They
are
glad
that
you
have
done
it.
\par }{\Q You
will
bring
the
day
that
you
have
proclaimed,
\par }{\QB and
they
will
be
like
me.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}“Let
all
their
wickedness
come
before
you.
\par }{\QB Do
to
them
as
you
have
done
to
me
for
all
my
transgressions.
\par }{\Q For
my sighs
are
many,
\par }{\QB and
my
heart
is
faint.

\par }\Chap{2}{\PP \VerseOne{1}How
has
the
Lord
covered
the
daughter
of
Zion
with
a
cloud
in
his
anger!
\par }{\QB He
has
cast
the
beauty
of
Israel
down
from
heaven
to
the
earth,
\par }{\QB and
hasn’t
remembered
his footstool
in
the
day
of
his
anger.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}The
Lord
has
swallowed
up
all
the dwellings
of
Jacob
\par }{\QB without
pity.
\par }{\Q He
has
thrown
down
in
his
wrath
the
strongholds
of
the
daughter
of
Judah.
\par }{\QB He
has
brought
them
down
to
the
ground.
\par }{\QB He
has
profaned
the
kingdom
and
its
princes.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}He
has
cut
off
all
the
horn
of
Israel
in
fierce
anger.
\par }{\QB He
has
drawn
back
his
right
hand
from
before
the
enemy.
\par }{\Q He
has
burned
up
Jacob
like
a
flaming
fire,
\par }{\QB which
devours
all
around.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}He
has
bent
his
bow
like an
enemy.
\par }{\QB He
has
stood
with
his
right
hand
as an adversary.
\par }{\Q He
has
killed
all
that
were
pleasant
to
the
eye.
\par }{\QB In
the
tent
of
the
daughter
of
Zion,
he
has
poured
out
his
wrath
like
fire.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}The
Lord
has
become
as
an
enemy.
\par }{\QB He
has
swallowed
up
Israel.
\par }{\Q He
has
swallowed
up
all
her
palaces.
\par }{\QB He
has
destroyed
his
strongholds.
\par }{\QB He
has
multiplied
mourning
and lamentation
in
the
daughter
of
Judah.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}He
has
violently taken away
his
tabernacle,
\par }{\QB as if
it
were
a
garden.
\par }{\Q He
has
destroyed
his
place
of
assembly.
\par }{\QB Yahweh
has caused solemn
assembly
and
Sabbath
to
be
forgotten
in
Zion.
\par }{\QB In
the
indignation
of
his
anger,
he
has
despised
the
king
and
the
priest.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}The
Lord
has
cast
off
his
altar.
\par }{\QB He
has abhorred
his
sanctuary.
\par }{\Q He
has
given
the
walls
of
her
palaces
into
the
hand
of
the
enemy.
\par }{\QB They
have
made
a
noise
in
Yahweh’s
house,
\par }{\QB as
in
the
day
of
a solemn
assembly.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}Yahweh
has
purposed
to
destroy
the
wall
of
the
daughter
of
Zion.
\par }{\QB He
has
stretched
out
the line.
\par }{\QB He
has
not withdrawn
his
hand
from
destroying;
\par }{\Q He
has
made
the
rampart
and
wall
lament.
\par }{\QB They
languish
together.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}Her
gates
have
sunk
into
the
ground.
\par }{\QB He
has
destroyed
and
broken
her
bars.
\par }{\Q Her
king
and
her
princes
are
among
the
nations
where
the
law
is
not.
\par }{\QB Yes,
her
prophets
find
no
vision
from
Yahweh.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}The
elders
of
the
daughter
of
Zion
sit
on
the
ground.
\par }{\QB They keep silence.
\par }{\Q They
have
cast
up
dust
on
their
heads.
\par }{\QB They
have
clothed
themselves
with
sackcloth.
\par }{\QB The
virgins
of
Jerusalem hang
down
their
heads
to
the
ground.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}My
eyes
fail
with
tears.
\par }{\QB My
heart
is troubled.
\par }{\Q My bile
is
poured
on
the
earth,
\par }{\QB because
of
the
destruction
of
the
daughter
of
my
people,
\par }{\QB because
the young
children
and
the
infants swoon
in
the
streets
of
the
city.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}They
ask
their
mothers,
\par }{\QB “Where
is
grain
and
wine?”
\par }{\QB when
they swoon
as
the
wounded
in
the
streets
of
the
city,
\par }{\QB when
their
soul
is
poured
out
into
their
mothers’
bosom.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}What
shall
I testify
to
you?
\par }{\QB What
shall
I
liken
to
you,
daughter
of
Jerusalem?
\par }{\Q What
shall
I
compare
to
you,
\par }{\QB that
I
may
comfort
you,
virgin
daughter
of
Zion?
\par }{\Q For
your breach
is
as big
as
the
sea.
\par }{\QB Who
can
heal
you?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}Your
prophets
have
seen
false
and foolish
visions
for
you.
\par }{\QB They
have
not
uncovered
your
iniquity,
\par }{\QB to
reverse
your
captivity,
\par }{\QB but
have
seen
for
you
false revelations
and causes
of banishment.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}All
that
pass
by
clap
their
hands
at
you.
\par }{\QB They
hiss
and
wag
their
head
at
the
daughter
of
Jerusalem,
saying,
\par }{\Q “Is
this
the
city
that
men
called ‘The
perfection
of
beauty,
\par }{\QB the
joy
of
the
whole earth’?”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}All
your
enemies
have
opened
their
mouth
wide
against
you.
\par }{\QB They
hiss
and
gnash
their
teeth.
\par }{\QB They
say, “We
have
swallowed
her
up.
\par }{\Q Certainly
this
is
the
day
that
we
looked
for.
\par }{\QB We
have
found
it.
\par }{\QB We
have
seen
it.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}Yahweh
has
done
that
which
he
planned.
\par }{\QB He
has fulfilled
his
word
that
he
commanded
in
the
days
of old.
\par }{\Q He
has
thrown
down,
\par }{\QB and
has
not pitied.
\par }{\Q He
has
caused
the
enemy
to
rejoice
over
you.
\par }{\QB He
has
exalted
the
horn
of
your adversaries.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}Their
heart
cried
to
the
Lord.
\par }{\QB O
wall
of
the
daughter
of
Zion,
\par }{\QB let
tears
run
down
like
a
river
day
and
night.
\par }{\Q Give
yourself
no
relief.
\par }{\QB Don’t
let
your
eyes rest.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}Arise,
cry
out
in
the
night,
\par }{\QB at
the
beginning
of
the
watches!
\par }{\Q Pour
out
your
heart
like
water
before
the
face
of
the
Lord.
\par }{\QB Lift
up
your
hands
toward
him
for
the
life
of
your young
children,
\par }{\QB who faint
for
hunger
at
the
head
of
every
street.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}“Look,
Yahweh,
and
see
to
whom
you
have done
thus!
\par }{\QB Should
the
women
eat
their
offspring,
\par }{\QB the
children
that
they held
and bounced
on
their knees?
\par }{\QB Should
the
priest
and
the
prophet
be
killed
in
the
sanctuary
of
the
Lord?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}“The
youth
and
the
old
man
lie
on
the
ground
in
the
streets.
\par }{\QB My
virgins
and
my
young
men
have
fallen
by
the
sword.
\par }{\Q You
have
killed
them
in
the
day
of
your
anger.
\par }{\QB You
have
slaughtered,
and
not pitied.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}“You
have
called,
as
in
the
day
of
a solemn
assembly,
my
terrors
on
every
side.
\par }{\QB There
was
no
one
that escaped
or
remained
in
the
day
of
Yahweh’s
anger.
\par }{\QB My
enemy
has
consumed
those
whom
I
have cared
for
and
brought
up.

\par }\PoetryChap{3}{\Q \VerseOne{1}I
am
the
man
who has
seen
affliction
\par }{\QB by
the
rod
of
his
wrath.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}He
has
led
me
and caused
me
to walk
in
darkness,
\par }{\QB and
not
in
light.
\par }{\Q \VS{3}Surely
he
turns
his
hand
against
me
\par }{\QB again
and
again
all
day
long.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}He
has made
my
flesh
and
my
skin
old.
\par }{\QB He
has
broken
my
bones.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}He has
built
against
me,
\par }{\QB and surrounded
me
with
bitterness
and
hardship.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}He has made
me
dwell
in
dark
places,
\par }{\QB as those
who have
been
long
dead.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}He
has
walled
me
about,
so
that
I
can’t
go
out.
\par }{\QB He
has
made
my
chain
heavy.
\par }{\Q \VS{8}Yes,
when
I
cry,
and
call
for
help,
\par }{\QB he shuts
out
my
prayer.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}He has
walled up
my
ways
with
cut
stone.
\par }{\QB He has made
my
paths crooked.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}He
is
to me
as
a
bear
lying
in
wait,
\par }{\QB as
a
lion
in
hiding.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}He has
turned
away
my
path,
\par }{\QB and pulled
me
in
pieces.
\par }{\QB He has
made
me
desolate.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}He has
bent
his
bow,
\par }{\QB and
set
me as a mark for
the
arrow.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}He
has caused
the shafts
of
his
quiver
to
enter
into
my
kidneys.
\par }{\QB \VS{14}I
have
become
a derision
to
all
my
people,
\par }{\QB and
their
song
all
day
long.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}He has
filled
me
with
bitterness.
\par }{\QB He has
stuffed
me
with
wormwood.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}He has also
broken
my
teeth
with
gravel.
\par }{\QB He has covered me
with
ashes.
\par }{\Q \VS{17}You
have removed
my
soul far away
from
peace.
\par }{\QB I forgot
prosperity.
\par }{\Q \VS{18}I
said, “My
strength
has
perished,
\par }{\QB along
with
my
expectation
from
Yahweh.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}Remember
my affliction
and
my misery,
\par }{\QB the
wormwood
and
the
bitterness.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}My
soul still
remembers
them,
\par }{\QB and
is
bowed
down
within
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{21}This
I
recall
to
my
mind;
\par }{\QB therefore
I
have
hope.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}It
is
because
of
Yahweh’s loving kindnesses
that
we
are
not
consumed,
\par }{\QB because
his
mercies
don’t
fail.
\par }{\Q \VS{23}They are
new
every
morning.
\par }{\QB Great is your
faithfulness.
\par }{\Q \VS{24}“Yahweh
is
my
portion,”
says
my
soul.
\par }{\QB “Therefore
I
will
hope
in
him.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{25}Yahweh
is
good
to
those
who
wait
for
him,
\par }{\QB to
the
soul
who
seeks
him.
\par }{\Q \VS{26}It
is
good
that
a man
should hope
\par }{\QB and quietly wait
for
the
salvation
of
Yahweh.
\par }{\QB \VS{27}It
is
good
for
a
man
that
he
bear
the
yoke
in
his
youth.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{28}Let
him
sit
alone
and keep silence,
\par }{\QB because
he
has
laid
it
on
him.
\par }{\Q \VS{29}Let
him
put
his
mouth
in
the
dust,
\par }{\QB if
it
is
so
that
there
may
be
hope.
\par }{\Q \VS{30}Let
him
give
his
cheek
to
him
who
strikes
him.
\par }{\QB Let
him
be
filled
full
of
reproach.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{31}For
the
Lord
will
not cast off
forever.
\par }{\QB \VS{32}For
though
he
causes
grief,
\par }{\QB yet
he
will
have
compassion according
to
the
multitude
of
his loving kindnesses.
\par }{\Q \VS{33}For
he
does
not
afflict willingly,
\par }{\QB nor
grieve
the
children
of
men.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{34}To
crush
under
foot
all
the
prisoners
of
the
earth,
\par }{\QB \VS{35}to
turn
away
the
right
of
a
man
before
the
face
of
the Most
High,
\par }{\QB \VS{36}to
subvert
a
man
in
his
cause,
the
Lord
doesn’t
approve.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{37}Who
is
he
who
says,
and
it
comes
to
pass,
\par }{\QB when
the
Lord
doesn’t
command
it?
\par }{\Q \VS{38}Doesn’t
evil
and
good
come
out
of
the
mouth
of
the Most High?
\par }{\QB \VS{39}Why
should
a
living
man
complain,
\par }{\QB a
man
for
the punishment
of
his
sins?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{40}Let
us
search
and try
our
ways,
\par }{\QB and
turn
again
to
Yahweh.
\par }{\Q \VS{41}Let’s
lift
up
our
heart
with
our
hands
to
God\FTNT{*}{{\FR 3:41 }
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).}
in
the
heavens.
\par }{\QB \VS{42}“We
have
transgressed
and
have
rebelled.
\par }{\QB You
have
not
pardoned.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{43}“You
have covered us
with
anger
and
pursued us.
\par }{\QB You
have
killed.
\par }{\QB You
have
not pitied.
\par }{\Q \VS{44}You have covered yourself
with a
cloud,
\par }{\QB so
that no
prayer
can
pass
through.
\par }{\Q \VS{45}You have
made
us
an off-scouring
and
refuse
\par }{\QB in
the
middle
of
the
peoples.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{46}“All
our
enemies
have
opened
their
mouth
wide
against
us.
\par }{\QB \VS{47}Terror
and
the
pit
have
come
on us,
\par }{\QB devastation
and
destruction.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{48}My
eye runs
down
with
streams
of
water,
\par }{\QB for
the
destruction
of
the
daughter
of
my
people.
\par }{\Q \VS{49}My
eye
pours
down
\par }{\QB and
doesn’t
cease,
\par }{\QB without
any intermission,
\par }{\Q \VS{50}until
Yahweh
looks
down,
\par }{\QB and
sees
from
heaven.
\par }{\Q \VS{51}My
eye affects
my
soul,
\par }{\QB because
of
all
the
daughters
of
my
city.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{52}They have chased
me relentlessly like
a
bird,
\par }{\QB those who
are my
enemies
without
cause.
\par }{\Q \VS{53}They have
cut
off
my
life
in
the dungeon,
\par }{\QB and have cast
a
stone
on
me.
\par }{\Q \VS{54}Waters
flowed
over
my
head.
\par }{\QB I
said, “I am
cut
off.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{55}I
called
on
your
name,
Yahweh,
\par }{\QB out
of
the
lowest dungeon.
\par }{\Q \VS{56}You
heard
my
voice:
\par }{\QB “Don’t
hide
your
ear
from
my sighing,
\par }{\QB and
my
cry.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{57}You
came
near
in
the
day
that
I
called
on
you.
\par }{\QB You
said, “Don’t
be
afraid.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{58}Lord,
you
have
pleaded
the causes
of
my
soul.
\par }{\QB You
have
redeemed
my
life.
\par }{\Q \VS{59}Yahweh,
you
have
seen
my wrong.
\par }{\QB Judge
my
cause.
\par }{\Q \VS{60}You
have
seen
all
their
vengeance
\par }{\QB and
all
their
plans
against
me.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{61}You
have
heard
their
reproach,
Yahweh,
\par }{\QB and
all
their
plans
against
me,
\par }{\Q \VS{62}the
lips
of
those
that
rose
up
against
me,
\par }{\QB and
their plots
against
me
all
day
long.
\par }{\Q \VS{63}You
see
their
sitting
down
and
their
rising
up.
\par }{\QB I
am
their
song.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{64}You
will
pay
them
back,
Yahweh,
\par }{\QB according
to
the
work
of
their
hands.
\par }{\Q \VS{65}You
will
give
them
hardness
of
heart,
\par }{\QB your
curse
to
them.
\par }{\Q \VS{66}You
will
pursue
them
in
anger,
\par }{\QB and
destroy
them
from
under
the
heavens
of
Yahweh.

\par }\PoetryChap{4}{\Q \VerseOne{1}How
the
gold
has
become dim!
\par }{\QB The
most
pure
gold
has
changed!
\par }{\Q The
stones
of
the
sanctuary
are
poured
out
\par }{\QB at
the
head
of
every
street.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}The
precious
sons
of
Zion,
\par }{\QB comparable
to
fine
gold,
\par }{\Q how
they
are
esteemed
as
earthen pitchers,
\par }{\QB the
work
of
the
hands
of
the
potter!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Even
the jackals offer
their
breast.
\par }{\QB They
nurse
their
young ones.
\par }{\Q But
the
daughter
of
my
people
has become
cruel,
\par }{\QB like
the
ostriches
in
the
wilderness.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}The
tongue
of
the
nursing
child
clings
to
the
roof
of
his
mouth
for
thirst.
\par }{\QB The young
children
ask
for
bread,
\par }{\QB and
no
one breaks
it
for
them.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Those who
ate
delicacies
are
desolate
in
the
streets.
\par }{\QB Those who
were brought
up
in
purple
embrace dunghills.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}For
the
iniquity
of
the
daughter
of
my
people
is
greater
than
the
sin
of
Sodom,
\par }{\QB which
was
overthrown
as
in
a
moment.
\par }{\QB No
hands
were laid
on
her.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}Her nobles
were
purer than
snow.
\par }{\QB They
were
whiter than
milk.
\par }{\Q They
were more
ruddy
in
body than rubies.
\par }{\QB Their
polishing was
like
sapphire.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}Their
appearance
is
blacker
than
a coal.
\par }{\QB They
are
not
known
in
the
streets.
\par }{\Q Their
skin clings
to
their
bones.
\par }{\QB It
is
withered.
\par }{\QB It
has
become
like
wood.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}Those who
are
killed
with
the
sword
are
better
than
those who
are
killed
with
hunger;
\par }{\QB for
these
pine
away,
stricken
through,
\par }{\QB for lack
of
the
fruits
of
the
field.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}The
hands
of
the pitiful
women
have
boiled
their
own
children.
\par }{\QB They
were
their
food
in
the
destruction
of
the
daughter
of
my
people.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}Yahweh
has
accomplished
his
wrath.
\par }{\QB He
has
poured
out
his
fierce
anger.
\par }{\Q He
has
kindled
a
fire
in
Zion,
\par }{\QB which
has
devoured
its
foundations.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}The
kings
of
the
earth
didn’t
believe,
\par }{\QB neither
did
all
the
inhabitants
of
the
world,
\par }{\QB that
the adversary
and
the
enemy
would
enter
into
the
gates
of
Jerusalem.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}It
is
because
of
the
sins
of
her
prophets
\par }{\QB and
the
iniquities
of
her
priests,
\par }{\QB that
have
shed
the
blood
of
the
just
in
the
middle
of
her.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}They
wander
as
blind
men
in
the
streets.
\par }{\QB They
are polluted
with
blood,
\par }{\QB So
that
men
can’t
touch
their
garments.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{15}“Go
away!”
they
cried
to
them.
\par }{\QB “Unclean!
Go
away!
Go
away!
Don’t
touch!
\par }{\Q When
they fled
away
and
wandered,
men
said
among
the
nations,
\par }{\QB “They
can’t
live here
any
more.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}Yahweh’s
anger
has
scattered
them.
\par }{\QB He
will
not
pay
attention
to
them
any
more.
\par }{\Q They
didn’t
respect
the persons
of
the
priests.
\par }{\QB They
didn’t
favor
the
elders.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{17}Our
eyes
still
fail,
\par }{\QB looking
in
vain
for
our
help.
\par }{\QB In
our
watching we
have
watched
for
a
nation
that could
not
save.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}They
hunt
our
steps,
\par }{\QB so
that
we can’t
go
in
our
streets.
\par }{\Q Our
end
is
near.
\par }{\QB Our
days
are
fulfilled,
\par }{\QB for
our
end
has
come.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}Our
pursuers
were
swifter
than
the
eagles
of
the
sky.
\par }{\QB They
chased
us
on
the
mountains.
\par }{\QB They
set
an
ambush
for
us
in
the
wilderness.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{20}The
breath
of
our
nostrils,
\par }{\QB the
anointed
of
Yahweh,
\par }{\QB was
taken
in
their
pits;
\par }{\Q of
whom
we
said,
\par }{\QB under
his
shadow
we
will
live among
the
nations.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{21}Rejoice
and
be
glad,
daughter
of
Edom,
\par }{\QB who
dwells
in
the
land
of
Uz.
\par }{\Q The
cup
will
pass
through
to
you
also.
\par }{\QB You
will
be drunken,
\par }{\QB and
will
make
yourself
naked.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{22}The
punishment
of
your
iniquity
is accomplished,
daughter
of
Zion.
\par }{\QB He
will
no
more
carry
you
away
into
captivity.
\par }{\Q He
will
visit
your
iniquity,
daughter
of
Edom.
\par }{\QB He
will
uncover
your
sins.

\par }\PoetryChap{5}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Remember,
Yahweh,
what
has
come
on
us.
\par }{\QB Look,
and
see
our
reproach.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Our
inheritance
has been
turned
over
to
strangers,
\par }{\QB our
houses
to
aliens.
\par }{\Q \VS{3}We
are
orphans
and
fatherless.
\par }{\QB Our
mothers
are
as
widows.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}We must
pay
for
water
to
drink.
\par }{\QB Our
wood
is sold
to
us.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}Our
pursuers
are
on
our
necks.
\par }{\QB We
are
weary,
and
have
no
rest.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}We
have
given
our
hands
to
the
Egyptians,
\par }{\QB and
to
the Assyrians,
to
be
satisfied
with
bread.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}Our
fathers
sinned,
and
are
no
more.
\par }{\QB We
have
borne
their
iniquities.
\par }{\Q \VS{8}Servants
rule
over
us.
\par }{\QB There
is
no
one
to
deliver
us
out
of
their
hand.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}We
get
our
bread
at
the peril
of
our
lives,
\par }{\QB because
of
the
sword
in
the
wilderness.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}Our
skin
is black
like
an
oven,
\par }{\QB because
of
the
burning
heat
of
famine.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}They ravished
the
women
in
Zion,
\par }{\QB the
virgins
in
the
cities
of
Judah.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}Princes
were
hanged up
by
their
hands.
\par }{\QB The
faces
of
elders
were
not honored.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}The
young
men
carry millstones.
\par }{\QB The
children
stumbled
under loads
of
wood.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}The
elders
have ceased
from
the
gate,
\par }{\QB and
the
young
men
from
their
music.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}The
joy
of our
heart
has ceased.
\par }{\QB Our
dance
is
turned
into
mourning.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}The
crown
has
fallen
from
our
head.
\par }{\QB Woe
to
us,
for
we
have
sinned!
\par }{\Q \VS{17}For
this
our
heart
is
faint.
\par }{\QB For
these
things
our
eyes
are
dim:
\par }{\Q \VS{18}for
the
mountain
of
Zion,
which
is
desolate.
\par }{\QB The
foxes
walk
on
it.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{19}You,
Yahweh,
remain
forever.
\par }{\QB Your
throne
is
from
generation
to
generation.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}Why
do
you
forget
us
forever,
\par }{\QB and
forsake
us
for
so
long
a
time?
\par }{\Q \VS{21}Turn
us
to
yourself,
Yahweh,
and
we
will
be
turned.
\par }{\QB Renew
our
days
as
of old.
\par }{\Q \VS{22}But
you
have
utterly
rejected
us.
\par }{\QB You are
very
angry
against
us.
\par }