Lamentations 1
1The city that once was full of people is now sitting all alone. 1 She has become like a widow, though she was a mighty nation. 1 She was a princess among the nations, but is now forced into slavery. 1
2She weeps and wails in the night, and her tears cover her cheeks. 1 None of her lovers comfort her. 1 All her friends have betrayed her. They have become her enemies. 1
3After poverty and affliction, Judah has gone into exile. 1 She lives among the nations and finds no rest. 1 All her pursuers overtook her in her desperation. 1
4The roads of Zion mourn because none come to the appointed feasts. 1 All her gates are desolate. Her priests groan. 1 Her virgins are sorrowful and she herself is in complete distress. 1
5Her adversaries have become her master; her enemies prosper. 1 Yahweh has afflicted her for her many sins. 1 Her little children go into captivity to her adversary. 1
6Beauty has left the daughter of Zion. 1 Her princes have become like deer that cannot find pasture, 1 and they go without strength before their pursuer. 1
7In the days of her affliction and her homelessness, Jerusalem will call to mind 1 all her precious treasures that she had in former days. 1 When her people fell into the hand of the adversary, no one helped her. 1 The adversaries saw her and laughed at her destruction. 1
8Jerusalem sinned greatly, therefore, she has become scorned as something that is filthy. 1 All who honored her now despise her since they have seen her nakedness. 1 She groans and tries to turn away. 1
9She has become unclean beneath her skirts. She did not think about her future. 1 Her fall was terrible. There was no one to comfort her. 1 She cried out, “Look at my affliction, Yahweh, for the enemy has become too great!” 1
10The adversary has put his hand on all our precious treasures. 1 She has seen the nations enter her sanctuary, 1 even though you had commanded that they must not enter into your assembly place. 1
11All her people groan as they search for bread. 1 They have given their precious treasures for food to restore their lives. 1 Look, Yahweh, and consider me, for I have become worthless. 1
12Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? 1 Look and see if there is anyone else's sorrow like the sorrow that is being inflicted on me, 1 since Yahweh has tormented me on the day of his fierce anger. 1
13It is from on high that he has sent fire into my bones, and it has conquered them. 1 He has spread a net for my feet and turned me back. 1 He has made me constantly desolate and weak. 1
14The yoke of my transgressions is bound together by his hand. 1 They are knit together and placed upon my neck. He has made my strength fail. 1 The Lord has given me over into their hands, and I am not able to stand. 1
15The Lord has tossed aside all my mighty men who defended me. 1 He has called an assembly against me to crush my vigorous men. 1 The Lord has trampled the virgin daughter of Judah in the winepress. 1
16For these things I weep, my eyes overflow with tears; 1 for a comforter is far from me, one who restores my life. 1 My children are desolate because the enemy has conquered me. 1
17Zion has spread her hands wide; there is none to comfort her. 1 Yahweh has commanded that those around Jacob should be his adversaries. 1 Jerusalem is something unclean to them. 1
18Yahweh is righteous, for I have rebelled against his commandment. 1 Hear, all you peoples, and see my sorrow. 1 My virgins and my vigorous men have gone into captivity. 1
19I called for my friends, but they were treacherous toward me. 1 My priests and my elders perished in the city, 1 while they sought food to restore their lives. 1
20Look, Yahweh, for I am in distress; my stomach churns, 1 my heart is disturbed within me, for I have been very rebellious. 1 Outside, the sword bereaves a mother, inside the house there is only death. 1
21They have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. 1 All my enemies have heard of my trouble and they are glad that you have done it. 1 You have brought the day you promised; now let them become like me. 1
22Let all their wickedness come before you. 1 deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. 1 My groans are many and my heart is faint.