Lamentations
CHAPTER1
1Howdoththecitysitsolitary,thatwasfullofpeople! howisshebecomeasawidow!shethatwasgreatamong thenations,andprincessamongtheprovinces,howisshe becometributary!
2Sheweepethsoreinthenight,andhertearsareonher cheeks:amongallherloversshehathnonetocomforther: allherfriendshavedealttreacherouslywithher,theyare becomeherenemies
3Judahisgoneintocaptivitybecauseofaffliction,and becauseofgreatservitude:shedwellethamongtheheathen, shefindethnorest:allherpersecutorsovertookher betweenthestraits
4ThewaysofZiondomourn,becausenonecometothe solemnfeasts:allhergatesaredesolate:herpriestssigh, hervirginsareafflicted,andsheisinbitterness
5Heradversariesarethechief,herenemiesprosper;forthe LORDhathafflictedherforthemultitudeofher transgressions:herchildrenaregoneintocaptivitybefore theenemy.
6AndfromthedaughterofZionallherbeautyisdeparted: herprincesarebecomelikehartsthatfindnopasture,and theyaregonewithoutstrengthbeforethepursuer.
7Jerusalemrememberedinthedaysofherafflictionandof hermiseriesallherpleasantthingsthatshehadinthedays ofold,whenherpeoplefellintothehandoftheenemy, andnonedidhelpher:theadversariessawher,anddid mockathersabbaths
8Jerusalemhathgrievouslysinned;thereforesheis removed:allthathonouredherdespiseher,becausethey haveseenhernakedness:yea,shesigheth,andturneth backward.
9Herfilthinessisinherskirts;sherememberethnother lastend;thereforeshecamedownwonderfully:shehadno comforter.OLORD,beholdmyaffliction:fortheenemy hathmagnifiedhimself
10Theadversaryhathspreadouthishanduponallher pleasantthings:forshehathseenthattheheathenentered intohersanctuary,whomthoudidstcommandthatthey shouldnotenterintothycongregation.
11Allherpeoplesigh,theyseekbread;theyhavegiven theirpleasantthingsformeattorelievethesoul:see,O LORD,andconsider;forIambecomevile.
12Isitnothingtoyou,allyethatpassby?behold,andsee iftherebeanysorrowlikeuntomysorrow,whichisdone untome,wherewiththeLORDhathafflictedmeintheday ofhisfierceanger
13Fromabovehathhesentfireintomybones,andit prevailethagainstthem:hehathspreadanetformyfeet, hehathturnedmeback:hehathmademedesolateand faintalltheday
14Theyokeofmytransgressionsisboundbyhishand: theyarewreathed,andcomeupuponmyneck:hehath mademystrengthtofall,theLordhathdeliveredmeinto theirhands,fromwhomIamnotabletoriseup.
15TheLordhathtroddenunderfootallmymightymenin themidstofme:hehathcalledanassemblyagainstmeto
crushmyyoungmen:theLordhathtroddenthevirgin,the daughterofJudah,asinawinepress
16ForthesethingsIweep;mineeye,mineeyerunneth downwithwater,becausethecomforterthatshouldrelieve mysoulisfarfromme:mychildrenaredesolate,because theenemyprevailed.
17Zionspreadethforthherhands,andthereisnoneto comforther:theLORDhathcommandedconcerningJacob, thathisadversariesshouldberoundabouthim:Jerusalem isasamenstruouswomanamongthem
18TheLORDisrighteous;forIhaverebelledagainsthis commandment:hear,Iprayyou,allpeople,andbeholdmy sorrow:myvirginsandmyyoungmenaregoneinto captivity
19Icalledformylovers,buttheydeceivedme:mypriests andmineeldersgaveuptheghostinthecity,whilethey soughttheirmeattorelievetheirsouls
20Behold,OLORD;forIamindistress:mybowelsare troubled;mineheartisturnedwithinme;forIhave grievouslyrebelled:abroadtheswordbereaveth,athome thereisasdeath.
21TheyhaveheardthatIsigh:thereisnonetocomfortme: allmineenemieshaveheardofmytrouble;theyareglad thatthouhastdoneit:thouwiltbringthedaythatthouhast called,andtheyshallbelikeuntome
22Letalltheirwickednesscomebeforethee;anddounto them,asthouhastdoneuntomeforallmytransgressions: formysighsaremany,andmyheartisfaint
CHAPTER2
1HowhaththeLordcoveredthedaughterofZionwitha cloudinhisanger,andcastdownfromheavenuntothe earththebeautyofIsrael,andrememberednothisfootstool inthedayofhisanger!
2TheLordhathswallowedupallthehabitationsofJacob, andhathnotpitied:hehaththrowndowninhiswraththe strongholdsofthedaughterofJudah;hehathbrought themdowntotheground:hehathpollutedthekingdom andtheprincesthereof
3HehathcutoffinhisfierceangerallthehornofIsrael: hehathdrawnbackhisrighthandfrombeforetheenemy, andheburnedagainstJacoblikeaflamingfire,which devourethroundabout.
4Hehathbenthisbowlikeanenemy:hestoodwithhis righthandasanadversary,andslewallthatwerepleasant totheeyeinthetabernacleofthedaughterofZion:he pouredouthisfurylikefire
5TheLordwasasanenemy:hehathswallowedupIsrael, hehathswallowedupallherpalaces:hehathdestroyedhis strongholds,andhathincreasedinthedaughterofJudah mourningandlamentation
6Andhehathviolentlytakenawayhistabernacle,asifit wereofagarden:hehathdestroyedhisplacesofthe assembly:theLORDhathcausedthesolemnfeastsand sabbathstobeforgotteninZion,andhathdespisedinthe indignationofhisangerthekingandthepriest
7TheLordhathcastoffhisaltar,hehathabhorredhis sanctuary,hehathgivenupintothehandoftheenemythe wallsofherpalaces;theyhavemadeanoiseinthehouse oftheLORD,asinthedayofasolemnfeast
8TheLORDhathpurposedtodestroythewallofthe daughterofZion:hehathstretchedoutaline,hehathnot
withdrawnhishandfromdestroying:thereforehemadethe rampartandthewalltolament;theylanguishedtogether. 9Hergatesaresunkintotheground;hehathdestroyedand brokenherbars:herkingandherprincesareamongthe Gentiles:thelawisnomore;herprophetsalsofindno visionfromtheLORD
10TheeldersofthedaughterofZionsitupontheground, andkeepsilence:theyhavecastupdustupontheirheads; theyhavegirdedthemselveswithsackcloth:thevirginsof Jerusalemhangdowntheirheadstotheground
11Mineeyesdofailwithtears,mybowelsaretroubled, myliverispouredupontheearth,forthedestructionofthe daughterofmypeople;becausethechildrenandthe sucklingsswooninthestreetsofthecity
12Theysaytotheirmothers,Whereiscornandwine? whentheyswoonedasthewoundedinthestreetsofthe city,whentheirsoulwaspouredoutintotheirmothers' bosom
13WhatthingshallItaketowitnessforthee?whatthing shallIlikentothee,OdaughterofJerusalem?whatshallI equaltothee,thatImaycomfortthee,Ovirgindaughterof Zion?forthybreachisgreatlikethesea:whocanhealthee?
14Thyprophetshaveseenvainandfoolishthingsforthee: andtheyhavenotdiscoveredthineiniquity,toturnaway thycaptivity;buthaveseenfortheefalseburdensand causesofbanishment
15Allthatpassbyclaptheirhandsatthee;theyhissand wagtheirheadatthedaughterofJerusalem,saying,Isthis thecitythatmencallTheperfectionofbeauty,Thejoyof thewholeearth?
16Allthineenemieshaveopenedtheirmouthagainstthee: theyhissandgnashtheteeth:theysay,Wehaveswallowed herup:certainlythisisthedaythatwelookedfor;wehave found,wehaveseenit.
17TheLORDhathdonethatwhichhehaddevised;he hathfulfilledhiswordthathehadcommandedinthedays ofold:hehaththrowndown,andhathnotpitied:andhe hathcausedthineenemytorejoiceoverthee,hehathsetup thehornofthineadversaries
18TheirheartcrieduntotheLord,Owallofthedaughter ofZion,lettearsrundownlikeariverdayandnight:give thyselfnorest;letnottheappleofthineeyecease
19Arise,cryoutinthenight:inthebeginningofthe watchespouroutthineheartlikewaterbeforethefaceof theLord:liftupthyhandstowardhimforthelifeofthy youngchildren,thatfaintforhungerinthetopofevery street
20Behold,OLORD,andconsidertowhomthouhastdone thisShallthewomeneattheirfruit,andchildrenofaspan long?shallthepriestandtheprophetbeslaininthe sanctuaryoftheLord?
21Theyoungandtheoldlieonthegroundinthestreets: myvirginsandmyyoungmenarefallenbythesword; thouhastslaintheminthedayofthineanger;thouhast killed,andnotpitied
22Thouhastcalledasinasolemndaymyterrorsround about,sothatinthedayoftheLORD'Sangernoneescaped norremained:thosethatIhaveswaddledandbroughtup hathmineenemyconsumed
CHAPTER3
1Iamthemanthathathseenafflictionbytherodofhis wrath.
2Hehathledme,andbroughtmeintodarkness,butnot intolight
3Surelyagainstmeisheturned;heturnethhishand againstmealltheday.
4Myfleshandmyskinhathhemadeold;hehathbroken mybones
5Hehathbuildedagainstme,andcompassedmewithgall andtravail
6Hehathsetmeindarkplaces,astheythatbedeadofold.
7Hehathhedgedmeabout,thatIcannotgetout:hehath mademychainheavy
8AlsowhenIcryandshout,heshuttethoutmyprayer.
9Hehathinclosedmywayswithhewnstone,hehath mademypathscrooked
10Hewasuntomeasabearlyinginwait,andasalionin secretplaces
11Hehathturnedasidemyways,andpulledmeinpieces: hehathmademedesolate.
12Hehathbenthisbow,andsetmeasamarkforthe arrow
13Hehathcausedthearrowsofhisquivertoenterintomy reins
14Iwasaderisiontoallmypeople;andtheirsongallthe day.
15Hehathfilledmewithbitterness,hehathmademe drunkenwithwormwood
16Hehathalsobrokenmyteethwithgravelstones,he hathcoveredmewithashes
17Andthouhastremovedmysoulfarofffrompeace:I forgatprosperity.
18AndIsaid,Mystrengthandmyhopeisperishedfrom theLORD:
19Rememberingmineafflictionandmymisery,the wormwoodandthegall
20Mysoulhaththemstillinremembrance,andishumbled inme.
21ThisIrecalltomymind,thereforehaveIhope
22ItisoftheLORD'Smerciesthatwearenotconsumed, becausehiscompassionsfailnot.
23Theyareneweverymorning:greatisthyfaithfulness
24TheLORDismyportion,saithmysoul;thereforewillI hopeinhim.
25TheLORDisgooduntothemthatwaitforhim,tothe soulthatseekethhim.
26Itisgoodthatamanshouldbothhopeandquietlywait forthesalvationoftheLORD
27Itisgoodforamanthathebeartheyokeinhisyouth 28Hesittethaloneandkeepethsilence,becausehehath borneituponhim
29Heputtethhismouthinthedust;ifsobetheremaybe hope
30Hegivethhischeektohimthatsmitethhim:heisfilled fullwithreproach.
31FortheLordwillnotcastoffforever:
32Butthoughhecausegrief,yetwillhehavecompassion accordingtothemultitudeofhismercies.
33Forhedothnotafflictwillinglynorgrievethechildren ofmen
34Tocrushunderhisfeetalltheprisonersoftheearth, 35Toturnasidetherightofamanbeforethefaceofthe mostHigh,
36Tosubvertamaninhiscause,theLordapprovethnot.
37Whoishethatsaith,anditcomethtopass,whenthe Lordcommandethitnot?
38OutofthemouthofthemostHighproceedethnotevil andgood?
39Whereforedothalivingmancomplain,amanforthe punishmentofhissins?
40Letussearchandtryourways,andturnagaintothe LORD
41LetusliftupourheartwithourhandsuntoGodinthe heavens
42Wehavetransgressedandhaverebelled:thouhastnot pardoned.
43Thouhastcoveredwithanger,andpersecutedus:thou hastslain,thouhastnotpitied
44Thouhastcoveredthyselfwithacloud,thatourprayer shouldnotpassthrough
45Thouhastmadeusastheoffscouringandrefuseinthe midstofthepeople.
46Allourenemieshaveopenedtheirmouthsagainstus
47Fearandasnareiscomeuponus,desolationand destruction.
48Mineeyerunnethdownwithriversofwaterforthe destructionofthedaughterofmypeople
49Mineeyetricklethdown,andceasethnot,withoutany intermission,
50TilltheLORDlookdown,andbeholdfromheaven
51Mineeyeaffectethmineheartbecauseofallthe daughtersofmycity
52Mineenemieschasedmesore,likeabird,withoutcause
53Theyhavecutoffmylifeinthedungeon,andcasta stoneuponme
54Watersflowedoverminehead;thenIsaid,Iamcutoff 55Icalleduponthyname,OLORD,outofthelow dungeon
56Thouhastheardmyvoice:hidenotthineearatmy breathing,atmycry.
57ThoudrewestnearinthedaythatIcalleduponthee: thousaidst,Fearnot
58OLord,thouhastpleadedthecausesofmysoul;thou hastredeemedmylife
59OLORD,thouhastseenmywrong:judgethoumy cause.
60Thouhastseenalltheirvengeanceandalltheir imaginationsagainstme.
61Thouhastheardtheirreproach,OLORD,andalltheir imaginationsagainstme;
62Thelipsofthosethatroseupagainstme,andtheir deviceagainstmealltheday.
63Beholdtheirsittingdown,andtheirrisingup;Iamtheir musick
64Renderuntothemarecompence,OLORD,accordingto theworkoftheirhands
65Givethemsorrowofheart,thycurseuntothem.
66Persecuteanddestroytheminangerfromunderthe heavensoftheLORD
CHAPTER4
1Howisthegoldbecomedim!howisthemostfinegold changed!thestonesofthesanctuaryarepouredoutinthe topofeverystreet.
2TheprecioussonsofZion,comparabletofinegold,how aretheyesteemedasearthenpitchers,theworkofthe handsofthepotter!
3Eventheseamonstersdrawoutthebreast,theygivesuck totheiryoungones:thedaughterofmypeopleisbecome cruel,liketheostrichesinthewilderness
4Thetongueofthesuckingchildcleavethtotheroofof hismouthforthirst:theyoungchildrenaskbread,andno manbreakethituntothem
5Theythatdidfeeddelicatelyaredesolateinthestreets: theythatwerebroughtupinscarletembracedunghills.
6Forthepunishmentoftheiniquityofthedaughterofmy peopleisgreaterthanthepunishmentofthesinofSodom, thatwasoverthrownasinamoment,andnohandsstayed onher
7HerNazariteswerepurerthansnow,theywerewhiter thanmilk,theyweremoreruddyinbodythanrubies,their polishingwasofsapphire:
8Theirvisageisblackerthanacoal;theyarenotknownin thestreets:theirskincleavethtotheirbones;itiswithered, itisbecomelikeastick
9Theythatbeslainwiththeswordarebetterthantheythat beslainwithhunger:forthesepineaway,strickenthrough forwantofthefruitsofthefield
10Thehandsofthepitifulwomenhavesoddentheirown children:theyweretheirmeatinthedestructionofthe daughterofmypeople
11TheLORDhathaccomplishedhisfury;hehathpoured outhisfierceanger,andhathkindledafireinZion,andit hathdevouredthefoundationsthereof
12Thekingsoftheearth,andalltheinhabitantsofthe world,wouldnothavebelievedthattheadversaryandthe enemyshouldhaveenteredintothegatesofJerusalem
13Forthesinsofherprophets,andtheiniquitiesofher priests,thathaveshedthebloodofthejustinthemidstof her,
14Theyhavewanderedasblindmeninthestreets,they havepollutedthemselveswithblood,sothatmencouldnot touchtheirgarments
15Theycrieduntothem,Departye;itisunclean;depart, depart,touchnot:whentheyfledawayandwandered,they saidamongtheheathen,Theyshallnomoresojournthere
16TheangeroftheLORDhathdividedthem;hewillno moreregardthem:theyrespectednotthepersonsofthe priests,theyfavourednottheelders
17Asforus,oureyesasyetfailedforourvainhelp:inour watchingwehavewatchedforanationthatcouldnotsave us
18Theyhuntoursteps,thatwecannotgoinourstreets: ourendisnear,ourdaysarefulfilled;forourendiscome
19Ourpersecutorsareswifterthantheeaglesofthe heaven:theypursuedusuponthemountains,theylaidwait forusinthewilderness
20Thebreathofournostrils,theanointedoftheLORD, wastakenintheirpits,ofwhomwesaid,Underhisshadow weshallliveamongtheheathen
21Rejoiceandbeglad,OdaughterofEdom,thatdwellest inthelandofUz;thecupalsoshallpassthroughuntothee: thoushaltbedrunken,andshaltmakethyselfnaked
22Thepunishmentofthineiniquityisaccomplished,O daughterofZion;hewillnomorecarrytheeawayinto captivity:hewillvisitthineiniquity,OdaughterofEdom; hewilldiscoverthysins
CHAPTER5
1Remember,OLORD,whatiscomeuponus:consider, andbeholdourreproach
2Ourinheritanceisturnedtostrangers,ourhousesto aliens
3Weareorphansandfatherless,ourmothersareas widows.
4Wehavedrunkenourwaterformoney;ourwoodissold untous
5Ournecksareunderpersecution:welabour,andhaveno rest
6WehavegiventhehandtotheEgyptians,andtothe Assyrians,tobesatisfiedwithbread.
7Ourfathershavesinned,andarenot;andwehaveborne theiriniquities
8Servantshaveruledoverus:thereisnonethatdoth deliverusoutoftheirhand
9Wegatourbreadwiththeperilofourlivesbecauseof theswordofthewilderness.
10Ourskinwasblacklikeanovenbecauseoftheterrible famine
11TheyravishedthewomeninZion,andthemaidsinthe citiesofJudah
12Princesarehangedupbytheirhand:thefacesofelders werenothonoured.
13Theytooktheyoungmentogrind,andthechildrenfell underthewood
14Theeldershaveceasedfromthegate,theyoungmen fromtheirmusick
15Thejoyofourheartisceased;ourdanceisturnedinto mourning.
16Thecrownisfallenfromourhead:woeuntous,thatwe havesinned!
17Forthisourheartisfaint;forthesethingsoureyesare dim
18BecauseofthemountainofZion,whichisdesolate,the foxeswalkuponit.
19Thou,OLORD,remainestforever;thythronefrom generationtogeneration.
20Whereforedostthouforgetusforever,andforsakeus solongtime?
21Turnthouusuntothee,OLORD,andweshallbe turned;renewourdaysasofold.
22Butthouhastutterlyrejectedus;thouartverywroth againstus