צ Tsade

18 The Lord is just,
for I have rebelled against his command.(A)
Listen, all you people;
look at my pain.
My young women and young men
have gone into captivity.(B)

ק Qoph

19 I called to my lovers,(C)
but they betrayed me.
My priests and elders
perished in the city
while searching for food
to keep themselves alive.(D)

ר Resh

20 Lord, see how I am in distress.
I am churning within;(E)
my heart is broken,[a]
for I have been very rebellious.
Outside, the sword takes the children;
inside, there is death.(F)

שׁ Shin

21 People have heard me groaning,(G)
but there is no one to comfort me.
All my enemies have heard of my misfortune;
they are glad that you have caused it.(H)
Bring on the day you have announced,
so that they may become like me.(I)

ת Taw

22 Let all their wickedness come before you,
and deal with them
as you have dealt with me
because of all my transgressions.(J)
For my groans are many,
and I am sick at heart.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:20 Lit is turned within me

18 The Lord is in the right,
    but I rebelled against his commands.
Listen, please, all you people,
    and look at my pain—
my young men and women[a]
    have gone into captivity.

19 I called out to my lovers,[b]
    but they deceived me.
My priests and my elders
    have died within the city
while looking for something to eat
    to keep themselves alive.

20 Look, Lord, how distressed I am;
    all my insides are churning.
My heart is troubled within me,
    because I vigorously rebelled.
Outside the sword brings loss of life,
    while at home death rules.

21 People[c] heard how I groan,
    with no one to comfort me.
All my adversaries have heard about my troubles;
    they rejoice that you have caused them.
Bring on the day you have promised,
    so my adversaries[d] will become like me.
22 May all of their wickedness come to your attention,
    and deal with them
as you have done with me
    because of all my transgressions.
For I am constantly groaning,
    and my heart is faint.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 1:18 Lit. virgins
  2. Lamentations 1:19 Or friends
  3. Lamentations 1:21 Lit. They
  4. Lamentations 1:21 Lit. so they