¹⁸ For a little while^(A) your people possessed your holy place,
    but now our enemies have trampled^(B) down your sanctuary.^(C)

⁴ Your foes roared^(B) in the place where you met with us;
    they set up their standards^(C) as signs.
⁵ They behaved like men wielding axes
    to cut through a thicket of trees.^(D)
6 They smashed all the carved^(E) paneling
    with their axes and hatchets.
⁷ They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
    they defiled^(F) the dwelling place^(G) of your Name.^(H)

4 ^[a]How the gold has lost its luster,
    the fine gold become dull!
The sacred gems are scattered
    at every street corner.^(A)

¹⁰ The enemy laid hands
    on all her treasures;^(A)
she saw pagan nations
    enter her sanctuary^(B)—
those you had forbidden^(C)
    to enter your assembly.

¹¹ Our holy and glorious temple,^(A) where our ancestors praised you,
    has been burned with fire,
    and all that we treasured^(B) lies in ruins.
¹² After all this, Lord, will you hold yourself back?^(C)
    Will you keep silent^(D) and punish us beyond measure?