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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”

18 “The Lord is right,” Jerusalem says,
    “for I rebelled against him.
Listen, people everywhere;
    look upon my anguish and despair,
for my sons and daughters
    have been taken captive to distant lands.

19 “I begged my allies for help,
    but they betrayed me.
My priests and leaders
    starved to death in the city,
even as they searched for food
    to save their lives.

20 Lord, see my anguish!
    My heart is broken
and my soul despairs,
    for I have rebelled against you.
In the streets the sword kills,
    and at home there is only death.

21 “Others heard my groans,
    but no one turned to comfort me.
When my enemies heard about my troubles,
    they were happy to see what you had done.
Oh, bring the day you promised,
    when they will suffer as I have suffered.

22 “Look at all their evil deeds, Lord.
    Punish them,
as you have punished me
    for all my sins.
My groans are many,
    and I am sick at heart.”

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