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 (A)righteous,
For I have (B)rebelled against His [a]command;
Hear now, all peoples,
And (C)see my pain;
(D)My virgins and my young men
Have gone into captivity.
19 I (E)called to my lovers, but they deserted me;
My (F)priests and my elders perished in the city
While they sought food to (G)restore their [b]strength themselves.
20 See, Lord, for I am in distress;
My [c](H)spirit is greatly troubled;
My heart is overturned within me,
For I have been very (I)rebellious.
In the street the sword has made women childless;
In the house it is like death.
21 They have heard that I (J)groan;
There is no one to comfort me,
All my enemies have heard of my disaster;
They are (K)joyful that You have done it.
Oh, that You would bring the day which You have proclaimed,
So that they will become (L)like me.
22 May all their wickedness come before You;
And (M)deal with them just as You have dealt with me
For all my wrongdoings.
For my groans are many and my heart is faint.”

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 1:18 Lit mouth
  2. Lamentations 1:19 Lit soul
  3. Lamentations 1:20 Lit inward parts are in ferment