א [ʼA′leph]
4 O how the gold that shines becomes dim, the good gold!*+
O how the holy stones*+ are poured out at the head of all the streets!+
ב [Behth]
2 As for the precious sons of Zion,+ those who were weighed against refined gold,*
O how they have been reckoned as large jars of earthenware, the work of the hands of a potter!+
ג [Gi′mel]
3 Even jackals themselves have presented the udder. They have suckled their cubs.
The daughter of my people becomes cruel,+ like ostriches in the wilderness.+
ד [Da′leth]
4 The tongue of the suckling has cleaved to its palate because of thirst.+
Children themselves have asked for bread.+ There is no one dealing [it] out to them.+
ה [Heʼ]
5 The very ones that were eating pleasant things have been struck with astonishment in the streets.+
The very ones that were being reared in scarlet+ have had to embrace ash heaps.+
ו [Waw]
6 The [punishment for the] error of the daughter of my people also becomes greater than the [punishment for the] sin of Sod′om,+
Which was overthrown as in a moment, and to which no hands turned [helpfully].+
ז [Za′yin]
7 Her Naz′i·rites+ were purer than snow;+ they were whiter than milk.
They were in fact more ruddy+ than corals; their polish was as the sapphire.+
ח [Chehth]
8 Their aspect has become darker than blackness itself. They have not been recognized in the streets.+
Their skin has shriveled upon their bones.+ It has become just as dry as a tree.
ט [Tehth]
9 Better have those slain with the sword+ proved to be than those slain by famine,+
Because these pine away,* pierced through for lack of the produce of the open field.
י [Yohdh]
10 The very hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children.+
They have become as bread of consolation to one during the breakdown of the daughter of my people.+
כ [Kaph]
11 Jehovah has accomplished his rage.+ He has poured out his burning anger.+
And he sets a fire ablaze in Zion, which eats up her foundations.+
ל [La′medh]
12 The kings of the earth and all the inhabitants of the productive land* had not believed+
That the adversary and the enemy would come into the gates of Jerusalem.+
מ [Mem]
13 Because of the sins of her prophets, the errors of her priests,+
There were in the midst of her those pouring out the blood of righteous ones.+
נ [Nun]
14 They have wandered about as blind+ in the streets.+ They have become polluted with blood,+
So that none are able to touch their garments.+
ס [Sa′mekh]
15 “Get out of the way! Unclean!”+ they have called out to them. “Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Do not touch!”+
For they have gone homeless.+ They have also wandered about.+ People have said among the nations: “They will not reside again as aliens.+
פ [Peʼ]
16 The face of Jehovah has divided them up.+ He will not look upon them again.+
Men will certainly show no consideration even for the priests.+ They will certainly show no favor even to the old men.”+
ע [ʽA′yin]
17 While we yet are, our eyes keep pining away in vain for assistance to us.+
During our looking about we have looked out to a nation that can bring no salvation.+
צ [Tsa·dheh′]
18 They have hunted our steps+ so that there is no walking in our public squares.
Our end has drawn near. Our days have come to their full, for our end has come.+
ק [Qohph]
19 Swifter than the eagles of the heavens our pursuers have proved to be.+
Upon the mountains they have hotly pursued us.+ In the wilderness they have lain in wait for us.+
ר [Rehsh]
20 The very breath* of our nostrils,+ the anointed one* of Jehovah,*+ has been captured in their large pit,+
The one of whom we have said: “In his shade+ we shall live among the nations.”+
ש [Sin]
21 Exult and rejoice,+ O daughter of E′dom,+ dwelling as you do in the land of Uz.+
To you also the cup* will pass along.+ You will become drunk and show yourself in nakedness.+
ת [Taw]