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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

18 Yahweh is righteous;
    I have rebelled against his word.[a]
Please hear, all the nations,
    And see my pain;
My young women[b] and young men
    went into captivity.
19 I have called to my lovers,
    they themselves deceived me;
my priests and elders perished in the city
    when they sought food for themselves
        to revive their life.[c]
20 See, O Yahweh, that I am in distress;[d]
    my stomach[e] is in torment,
my heart has turned inside me
    because I have certainly rebelled.
From outside a sword brings bereavement,
    inside the house it is like death.
21 They hear that I was groaning;
    there is no comforter for me.
All my enemies have heard my misery,
    they are pleased that you have done it.
Bring that day that you have proclaimed,[f]
    And let them be like me.
22 Let all their evil come before you;
    and deal with them
just as you have dealt with me
    because of all my crimes;
for my groaning is much and my heart is faint.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 1:18 Literally “his mouth”
  2. Lamentations 1:18 Or “virgins”
  3. Lamentations 1:19 Or “their soul”
  4. Lamentations 1:20 Literally “there is distress for me”
  5. Lamentations 1:20 Literally “inner parts”
  6. Lamentations 1:21 Or “you have called”