17 Yet our eyes failed,
Looking for [a]help was (A)useless;
At our observation point we have watched
For a (B)nation that could not save.
18 They (C)hunted our steps
So that we could not walk in our streets;
Our (D)end drew near,
Our days were [b]finished
For our end had come.
19 Our pursuers were (E)swifter
Than the eagles of the sky;
They chased us on the mountains,
They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.
20 The (F)breath of our nostrils, the (G)Lords anointed,
Was (H)captured in their pits,
Of whom we had said, “[c]In his (I)shadow
We shall live among the nations.”
21 Rejoice and be joyful, daughter of (J)Edom,
Who lives in the land of Uz;
But the (K)cup will pass to you as well,
You will become drunk and expose yourself.
22 The punishment of your wrongdoing has been (L)completed, daughter of Zion;
He will no longer exile you.
But He (M)will punish your wrongdoing, 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
  3. Lamentations 4:20 I.e., under his protection

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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