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Ayin

17 Yet our eyes were spent,
Looking for [a]help was (A)vanity;
In our watching we have watched
For a (B)nation that could not save.

Tsadhe

18 They (C)hunted our steps
So that we could not walk in our open squares;
Our (D)end drew near,
Our days were [b]finished,
For our end had come.

Qoph

19 Our pursuers were (E)swifter
Than the eagles of the sky;
They hotly pursued us on the mountains;
They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.

Resh

20 The (F)breath of our nostrils, the (G)anointed of Yahweh,
Was (H)captured in their pits,
Of whom we had said, “Under his (I)shadow
We shall live among the nations.”

Sin

21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of (J)Edom,
Who inhabits the land of Uz;
But the (K)cup will pass on to you as well;
You will become drunk and make yourself naked.

Tav

22 The punishment of your iniquity has come (L)to an end, O daughter of Zion;
He will exile you no longer.
But He (M)will punish your iniquity, O daughter of Edom;
He will expose your sins!

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 4:17 Lit our help
  2. Lamentations 4:18 Lit full

17 Moreover, our eyes failed,
    looking in vain(A) for help;(B)
from our towers we watched
    for a nation(C) that could not save us.

18 People stalked us at every step,
    so we could not walk in our streets.
Our end was near, our days were numbered,
    for our end had come.(D)

19 Our pursuers were swifter
    than eagles(E) in the sky;
they chased us(F) over the mountains
    and lay in wait for us in the desert.(G)

20 The Lord’s anointed,(H) our very life breath,
    was caught in their traps.(I)
We thought that under his shadow(J)
    we would live among the nations.

21 Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom,
    you who live in the land of Uz.(K)
But to you also the cup(L) will be passed;
    you will be drunk and stripped naked.(M)

22 Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion;(N)
    he will not prolong your exile.
But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom,
    and expose your wickedness.(O)

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