\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Lamentations}

{\MT Lamentations



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\MM {\SC{And}} it came to pass, after Israel was taken captive, and Jerusalem made desolate,
{\ADD{that}} Jeremiah sat weeping, and lamented
{\ADD{with}} this lamentation over Jerusalem, and said,

\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}How does the city that was filled with people sit solitary!

\par }{\Q She is become as a widow:

\par }{\Q She that was magnified among the nations,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} princess among the provinces,

\par }{\Q Has become tributary.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}She weeps sore in the night,

\par }{\Q And her tears are on her cheeks;

\par }{\Q And there is none of all her lovers to comfort her:

\par }{\Q All that were her friends have dealt deceitfully with her,

\par }{\Q They are become her enemies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Judea is gone into captivity by reason of her affliction,

\par }{\Q And by reason of the abundance of her servitude:

\par }{\Q She dwells among the nations,

\par }{\Q She has not found rest:

\par }{\Q All her pursuers have overtaken her between her oppressors.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}The ways of Zion mourn,

\par }{\Q Because there are none that come to the feast:

\par }{\Q All her gates are ruined:

\par }{\Q Her priests groan,

\par }{\Q Her virgins are led captive,

\par }{\Q And she is in bitterness in herself.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Her oppressors are become the head,

\par }{\Q And her enemies have prospered;

\par }{\Q For the Lord has afflicted her

\par }{\Q Because of the multitude of her sins:

\par }{\Q Her young children are gone into captivity

\par }{\Q Before the face of the oppressor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}And all her beauty has been taken away

\par }{\Q From the daughter of Zion:

\par }{\Q Her princes were as rams finding no pasture,

\par }{\Q And are gone
{\ADD{away}} in weakness

\par }{\Q Before the face of the pursuer.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Jerusalem remembered the days of her affliction,

\par }{\Q And her rejection;

\par }{\Q {\ADD{She thought on}} all her desirable things

\par }{\Q Which were from the days of old,

\par }{\Q When her people fell into the hands of the oppressor,

\par }{\Q And there was none to help her:

\par }{\Q When her enemies saw
{\ADD{it}}

\par }{\Q They laughed at her habitation.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Jerusalem has sinned a
{\ADD{great}} sin;

\par }{\Q Therefore has she come into tribulation,

\par }{\Q All that used to honor her have afflicted her,

\par }{\Q For they have seen her shame:

\par }{\Q Yea, she herself groaned, and turned backward.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Her uncleanness is before her feet;

\par }{\Q She remembered not her last end;

\par }{\Q She has lowered her boasting
{\ADD{tone}},

\par }{\Q There is none to comfort her.

\par }{\Q Behold, O Lord, my affliction:

\par }{\Q For the enemy has magnified himself.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}The oppressor has stretched out his hand

\par }{\Q On all her desirable things:

\par }{\Q For she has seen the Gentiles

\par }{\Q Entering into her sanctuary,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Concerning}} whom thou didst command

\par }{\Q That they should not enter into thy congregation.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}All her people groan,

\par }{\Q Seeking bread:

\par }{\Q They have given their desirable things for meat,

\par }{\Q To restore their soul:

\par }{\Q Behold, Lord, and look;

\par }{\Q For she is become dishonored.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}All ye that pass by the way,

\par }{\Q Turn, and see if there is sorrow like to my sorrow,

\par }{\Q Which has happened
{\ADD{to me}}.

\par }{\Q The Lord who spoke by me

\par }{\Q Has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}He has sent fire from his lofty habitation,

\par }{\Q He has brought it into my bones:

\par }{\Q He has spread a net for my feet,

\par }{\Q He has turned me back:

\par }{\Q He has made me desolate

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} mourning all the day.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}He has watched over my sins,

\par }{\Q They are twined about my hands,

\par }{\Q They have come up on my neck:

\par }{\Q My strength has failed;

\par }{\Q For the Lord has laid pains on my hands,

\par }{\Q I shall not be able to stand.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}The Lord has cut off

\par }{\Q All my strong men from the midst of me:

\par }{\Q He has summoned against me a time

\par }{\Q For crushing my choice men:

\par }{\Q The Lord has trodden a winepress

\par }{\Q For the virgin daughter of Judah:

\par }{\Q For these things I weep.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Mine eye has poured out water,

\par }{\Q Because he that should comfort me,

\par }{\Q That should restore my soul,

\par }{\Q Has been removed far from me:

\par }{\Q My sons have been destroyed,

\par }{\Q Because the enemy has prevailed.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Zion has spread out her hand,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} there is none to comfort her:

\par }{\Q The Lord has commanded
{\ADD{concerning}} Jacob,

\par }{\Q His oppressors are round about him:

\par }{\Q Jerusalem has become among them as a removed woman.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}The Lord is righteous;

\par }{\Q For I have provoked his mouth:

\par }{\Q Hear, I pray you, all people,

\par }{\Q And behold my grief:

\par }{\Q My virgins and my young men

\par }{\Q Are gone into captivity.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}I called my lovers,

\par }{\Q But they deceived me:

\par }{\Q My priests and my elders

\par }{\Q Failed in the city;

\par }{\Q For they sought meat

\par }{\Q That they might restore their souls,

\par }{\Q And found
{\ADD{it}} not.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Behold, O Lord; for I am afflicted:

\par }{\Q My belly is troubled,

\par }{\Q And my heart is turned within me;

\par }{\Q For I have been grievously rebellious:

\par }{\Q Abroad the sword has bereaved me,

\par }{\Q Even as death at home.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Hear, I pray you, for I groan:

\par }{\Q There is none to comfort me:

\par }{\Q All mine enemies have heard
{\ADD{of}} mine afflictions,

\par }{\Q And rejoice because thou hast done
{\ADD{it}}:

\par }{\Q Thou hast brought on the day,

\par }{\Q Thou hast called the time:

\par }{\Q They are become like to me.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Let all their wickedness come before thy face;

\par }{\Q And strip them, as they have made a gleaning for all my sins:

\par }{\Q For my groans are many,

\par }{\Q And my heart is grieved.


\par }{\BB \par }


\PoetryChap{2}{\Q \VerseOne{1}How has the Lord darkened in his wrath

\par }{\Q The daughter of Zion!

\par }{\Q He has cast down the glory of Israel

\par }{\Q From heaven to earth,

\par }{\Q And has not remembered his footstool.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}In the day of his wrath

\par }{\Q The Lord has overwhelmed
{\ADD{her}} as in the sea,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} not spared:

\par }{\Q He has brought down in his fury

\par }{\Q All the beautiful things of Jacob;

\par }{\Q He has brought down to the ground

\par }{\Q The strongholds of the daughter of Judah:

\par }{\Q He has profaned her king and her princes.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}He has broken in his fierce anger

\par }{\Q All the horn of Israel:

\par }{\Q He has turned back his right hand

\par }{\Q From the face of the enemy,

\par }{\Q And has kindled a flame in Jacob as fire,

\par }{\Q And it has devoured all things round about.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}He has bent his bow as an opposing enemy:

\par }{\Q He has strengthened his right hand as an adversary,

\par }{\Q And has destroyed all the desirable things of my eyes

\par }{\Q In the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion:

\par }{\Q He has poured forth his anger as fire.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}The Lord is become as an enemy:

\par }{\Q He has overwhelmed Israel as in the sea,

\par }{\Q He has overwhelmed her palaces:

\par }{\Q He has destroyed his strongholds,

\par }{\Q And has multiplied the afflicted and humbled ones

\par }{\Q To the daughter of Judah.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}And he has scattered his tabernacle as a vine,

\par }{\Q He has marred his feast:

\par }{\Q The Lord has forgotten the feast

\par }{\Q And the Sabbath which he appointed in Zion,

\par }{\Q And in the fury of his wrath

\par }{\Q Has vexed the king, and priest, and prince.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}The Lord has rejected his altar,

\par }{\Q He has cast off his sanctuary,

\par }{\Q He has broken by the hand of the enemy

\par }{\Q The wall of her palaces;

\par }{\Q They have uttered their voice in the house of the Lord

\par }{\Q As on a feast day.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}And he has turned to destroy

\par }{\Q The wall of the daughter of Zion:

\par }{\Q He has stretched out the measuring line,

\par }{\Q He has not turned back his hand from afflicting
{\ADD{her}}:

\par }{\Q Therefore the bulwark mourned,

\par }{\Q And the wall was weakened with it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Her gates are sunk into the ground:

\par }{\Q He has destroyed and broken to pieces her bars,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} her king and her prince among the Gentiles:

\par }{\Q There is no law,

\par }{\Q Nay, her prophets have seen no vision from the Lord.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}The elders of the daughter of Zion

\par }{\Q Have sat upon the ground,

\par }{\Q They have kept silence:

\par }{\Q They have cast up dust upon their heads;

\par }{\Q They have girded themselves with sackcloth:

\par }{\Q They have brought down to the ground

\par }{\Q The chief virgins in Jerusalem.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Mine eyes have failed with tears,

\par }{\Q My heart is troubled,

\par }{\Q My glory is cast down to the ground,

\par }{\Q For the destruction of the daughter of my people;

\par }{\Q While the infant and suckling swoon

\par }{\Q In the streets of the city.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}They said to their mothers,

\par }{\Q Where is corn and wine?

\par }{\Q While they fainted like wounded men

\par }{\Q In the streets of the city,

\par }{\Q While their souls were poured out

\par }{\Q Into their mother’s bosom.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}What shall I testify to thee,

\par }{\Q Or what shall I compare to thee,

\par }{\Q O daughter of Jerusalem?

\par }{\Q Who shall save and comfort thee,

\par }{\Q O virgin daughter of Zion?

\par }{\Q For the cup of thy destruction is enlarged:

\par }{\Q Who shall heal thee?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Thy prophets have seen for thee

\par }{\Q Vanities and folly:

\par }{\Q And they have not discovered thine iniquity,

\par }{\Q To turn back thy captivity;

\par }{\Q But they have seen for thee vain burdens,

\par }{\Q And worthless visions.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}All that go by the way

\par }{\Q Have clapped their hands at thee;

\par }{\Q They have hissed and shaken their head

\par }{\Q At the daughter of Jerusalem.

\par }{\Q Is this the city, they say,

\par }{\Q The crown of joy of all the earth?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee:

\par }{\Q They have hissed and gnashed their teeth,

\par }{\Q And said, We have swallowed her up:

\par }{\Q Moreover this is the day which we looked for;

\par }{\Q We have found it, we have seen it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}The Lord has done that which he purposed;

\par }{\Q He has accomplished his word,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Even}} the things which he commanded from the ancient days:

\par }{\Q He has thrown down, and has not spared:

\par }{\Q And he has caused the enemy to rejoice over thee,

\par }{\Q He has exalted the horn of him that afflicted thee.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Their heart cried to the Lord,

\par }{\Q Ye walls of Zion,

\par }{\Q Pour down tears like torrents day and night:

\par }{\Q Give thyself no rest;

\par }{\Q Let not the apple of thine eyes cease.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Arise, rejoice in the night

\par }{\Q At the beginning of thy watch:

\par }{\Q Pour out thy heart as water

\par }{\Q Before the face of the Lord:

\par }{\Q Lift up thy hands to him

\par }{\Q For the life of thine infants,

\par }{\Q Who faint for hunger

\par }{\Q At the top of all the streets.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Behold, O Lord,

\par }{\Q And see for whom thou hast gathered thus.

\par }{\Q Shall the women eat the fruit of their womb?

\par }{\Q The cook has made a gathering:

\par }{\Q Shall the infants sucking at the breasts be slain?

\par }{\Q Wilt thou slay the priest and prophet

\par }{\Q In the sanctuary of the Lord?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}The child and old man

\par }{\Q Have lain down in the street:

\par }{\Q My virgins and my young men

\par }{\Q Are gone into captivity:

\par }{\Q Thou hast slain
{\ADD{them}}

\par }{\Q With the sword and with famine;

\par }{\Q In the day of thy wrath thou hast mangled
{\ADD{them}},

\par }{\Q Thou hast not spared.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}He has called my sojourners round about

\par }{\Q To a solemn day,

\par }{\Q And there was not in the day of the wrath of the Lord

\par }{\Q Anyone that escaped or was left;

\par }{\Q Whereas I have strengthened and multiplied all mine enemies.


\par }{\BB \par }


\PoetryChap{3}{\Q \VerseOne{1}I am the man that sees poverty,

\par }{\Q Through the rod of his wrath upon me.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}He has taken me, and led me away into darkness,

\par }{\Q And not
{\ADD{into}} light.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Nay, against me has he turned his hand all the day.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}He has made old my flesh and my skin;

\par }{\Q He has broken my bones.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}He has built against me, and compassed my head,

\par }{\Q And brought travail
{\ADD{upon me}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}He has set me in dark places,

\par }{\Q As them that have long been dead.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}He has built against me, and I cannot come forth:

\par }{\Q He has made my brazen
{\ADD{chain}} heavy.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Yea,
{\ADD{though}} I cry and shout,

\par }{\Q He shuts out my prayer.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}He has built up my ways,

\par }{\Q He has hedged my paths;


\par }{\Q \VS{10}He has troubled me,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{As}} a she-bear lying in wait:

\par }{\Q He is to me
{\ADD{as}} a lion in secret places.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}He pursued
{\ADD{me}} after I departed,

\par }{\Q And brought me to a stand:

\par }{\Q He has utterly ruined me.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}He has bent his bow,

\par }{\Q And set me as a mark for the arrow.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}He has caused the arrows of his quiver

\par }{\Q To enter into my reins.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I became a laughingstock to all my people;

\par }{\Q And their song all the day.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}He has filled me with bitterness,

\par }{\Q He has drenched me with gall.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}And he has dashed out my teeth with gravel,

\par }{\Q He has fed me with ashes.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}He has also removed my soul from peace:

\par }{\Q I forgot prosperity.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Therefore my success has perished,

\par }{\Q And my hope from the Lord.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}I remembered by reason of my poverty,

\par }{\Q And because of persecution my bitterness and gall shall be remembered;


\par }{\Q \VS{20}And my soul shall meditate with me.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}This will I lay up in my heart,

\par }{\Q Therefore will I endure.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{It is}} the mercies of the Lord,

\par }{\Q That he has not failed me,

\par }{\Q Because his compassions are not exhausted.

\par }{\Q Pity
{\ADD{us}}, O Lord,

\par }{\Q Early
{\ADD{every}} month:

\par }{\Q For we are not brought to an end,

\par }{\Q Because his compassions are not exhausted.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{They are}} new every morning:

\par }{\Q Great is thy faithfulness.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The Lord is my portion, says my soul;

\par }{\Q Therefore will I wait for him.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}The Lord is good to them that wait for him:

\par }{\Q The soul which shall seek him


\par }{\Q \VS{26}{\ADD{Is}} good, and shall wait for,

\par }{\Q And quietly expect salvation of the Lord.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}{\ADD{It is}} good for a man

\par }{\Q When he bears a yoke in his youth.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}He will sit alone, and be silent,

\par }{\Q Because he has borne
{\ADD{it}} upon him.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}He will give
{\ADD{his}} cheek to him that smites him:

\par }{\Q He will be filled full with reproaches.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}For the Lord will not reject forever.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}For he that has brought down will pity,

\par }{\Q And
{\ADD{that}} according to the abundance of his mercy.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}He has not answered
{\ADD{in anger}} from his heart,

\par }{\Q Though he has brought low the children of a man.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{34}To bring down under his feet

\par }{\Q All the prisoners of the earth,


\par }{\Q \VS{35}To turn aside the judgment of a man

\par }{\Q Before the face of the Most High,


\par }{\Q \VS{36}To condemn a man
{\ADD{unjustly}} in his judgment,

\par }{\Q The Lord has not given commandment.


\par }{\Q \VS{37}Who has thus spoken, and it has come to pass?

\par }{\Q The Lord has not commanded it.


\par }{\Q \VS{38}Out of the mouth of the Most High

\par }{\Q There shall not come forth evil and good.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{39}Why should a living man complain,

\par }{\Q A man concerning his sin?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{40}Our way has been searched out and examined,

\par }{\Q And we will turn to the Lord.


\par }{\Q \VS{41}Let us lift up our hearts with
{\ADD{our}} hands

\par }{\Q To the lofty One in heaven.


\par }{\Q \VS{42}We have sinned,

\par }{\Q We have transgressed;

\par }{\Q And thou hast not pardoned.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{43}Thou hast visited
{\ADD{us}} in wrath,

\par }{\Q And driven us away:

\par }{\Q Thou hast slain,

\par }{\Q Thou hast not pitied.


\par }{\Q \VS{44}Thou hast veiled thyself with a cloud

\par }{\Q Because of prayer,

\par }{\Q That I might be blind,


\par }{\Q \VS{45}And be cast off.

\par }{\Q Thou hast set us
{\ADD{alone}}

\par }{\Q In the midst of the nations.


\par }{\Q \VS{46}All our enemies have opened their mouth against us.


\par }{\Q \VS{47}Fear and wrath are come upon us,

\par }{\Q Suspense and destruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{48}Mine eye shall pour down torrents of water,

\par }{\Q For the destruction of the daughter of my people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{49}Mine eye is drowned
{\ADD{with tears}},

\par }{\Q And I will not be silent,

\par }{\Q So that there shall be no rest,


\par }{\Q \VS{50}Until the Lord look down,

\par }{\Q And behold from heaven.


\par }{\Q \VS{51}Mine eye shall prey upon my soul,

\par }{\Q Because of all the daughters of the city.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{52}The fowlers chased me as a sparrow,

\par }{\Q All mine enemies destroyed my life in a pit without cause,


\par }{\Q \VS{53}And laid a stone upon me.


\par }{\Q \VS{54}Water flowed over my head:

\par }{\Q I said, I am cut off.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{55}I called upon thy name, O Lord,

\par }{\Q Out of the lowest dungeon.


\par }{\Q \VS{56}Thou heardest my voice:

\par }{\Q Close not thine ears to my supplication.


\par }{\Q \VS{57}Thou drewest nigh to my help:

\par }{\Q In the day wherein I called upon thee

\par }{\Q Thou saidst to me, Fear not.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{58}O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul;

\par }{\Q Thou hast redeemed my life.


\par }{\Q \VS{59}Thou hast seen, O Lord, my troubles:

\par }{\Q Thou hast judged my cause.


\par }{\Q \VS{60}Thou hast seen all their vengeance,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Thou hast looked}} on all their devices against me.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{61}Thou hast heard their reproach

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} all their devices against me;


\par }{\Q \VS{62}The lips of them that rose up against me,

\par }{\Q And their plots against me all the day;


\par }{\Q \VS{63}Their sitting down and their rising up:

\par }{\Q Look thou upon their eyes.


\par }{\Q \VS{64}Thou wilt render them a recompense, O Lord,

\par }{\Q According to the works of their hands.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{65}Thou wilt give them
{\ADD{as}} a covering,

\par }{\Q The grief of my heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{66}Thou wilt persecute them in anger,

\par }{\Q And wilt consume them from under the heaven, O Lord.


\par }{\BB \par }


\PoetryChap{4}{\Q \VerseOne{1}How will the gold be tarnished,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} the fine silver changed!

\par }{\Q The sacred stones have been poured forth

\par }{\Q At the top of all the streets.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}The precious sons of Zion,

\par }{\Q Who were equaled in value with gold,

\par }{\Q How are they counted as earthen vessels,

\par }{\Q The works of the hands of the potter!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Nay, serpents have drawn out the breasts,

\par }{\Q They give suck to their young,

\par }{\Q The daughters of my people are incurably cruel,

\par }{\Q As an ostrich in a desert.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}The tongue of the sucking child

\par }{\Q Cleaves to the roof of its mouth for thirst:

\par }{\Q The little children ask for bread,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} there is none to break
{\ADD{it}} to them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}They that feed on dainties

\par }{\Q Are desolate in the streets:

\par }{\Q They that used to be nursed in scarlet

\par }{\Q Have clothed themselves with dung.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}And the iniquity of the daughter of my people has been increased

\par }{\Q Beyond the iniquities of Sodom,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{The city}} that was overthrown very suddenly,

\par }{\Q And none labored against her
{\ADD{with their}} hands.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Her Nazirites were made purer than snow,

\par }{\Q They were whiter than milk,

\par }{\Q They were purified
{\ADD{as}} with fire,

\par }{\Q Their polishing was superior to sapphire stone.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Their countenance is become blacker than smoke;

\par }{\Q They are not known in the streets:

\par }{\Q Their skin has cloven to their bones;

\par }{\Q They are withered, they are become as a stick.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}The slain with the sword were better

\par }{\Q Than they that were slain with hunger:

\par }{\Q They have departed,

\par }{\Q Pierced through from
{\ADD{want of}} the fruits of the field.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}The hands of tenderhearted women

\par }{\Q Have sodden their own children:

\par }{\Q They became meat for them

\par }{\Q In the destruction of the daughter of my people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}The Lord has accomplished his wrath;

\par }{\Q He has poured out his fierce anger,

\par }{\Q And has kindled a fire in Zion,

\par }{\Q And it has devoured her foundations.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}The kings of the earth,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Even}} all that dwell in the world,

\par }{\Q Believed not that an enemy and oppressor would enter

\par }{\Q Through the gates of Jerusalem.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}For the sins of her prophets,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{And}} iniquities of her priests,

\par }{\Q Who shed righteous blood

\par }{\Q In the midst of her,


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Her watchmen staggered in the streets,

\par }{\Q They were defiled with blood in their weakness,

\par }{\Q They touched their raiment
{\ADD{with it}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Depart ye from the unclean ones:

\par }{\Q Call ye them: depart, depart, touch
{\ADD{them}} not:

\par }{\Q For they are on fire, yea, they stagger:

\par }{\Q Say ye among the nations,

\par }{\Q They shall no more sojourn
{\ADD{there}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}The presence of the Lord
{\ADD{was}} their portion;

\par }{\Q {\ADD{But}} he will not again look upon them:

\par }{\Q They regarded not the person of the priests,

\par }{\Q They pitied not the prophets.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}While we yet lived our eyes failed,

\par }{\Q While we looked in vain for our help.

\par }{\Q We looked to a nation that could not save.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}We have hunted
{\ADD{for}} our little ones,

\par }{\Q That they should not walk in our streets.

\par }{\Q Our time has drawn nigh,

\par }{\Q Our days are fulfilled,

\par }{\Q Our time is come.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky,

\par }{\Q They flew on the mountains,

\par }{\Q In the wilderness they laid wait for us.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}The breath of our nostrils,
{\ADD{our}} anointed Lord,

\par }{\Q Was taken in their destructive snares,

\par }{\Q Of whom we said,

\par }{\Q In his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,

\par }{\Q That dwellest in the land:

\par }{\Q Yet the cup of the Lord shall pass through to thee:

\par }{\Q Thou shalt be drunken, and pour forth.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}O daughter of Zion, thine iniquity has come to an end;

\par }{\Q He shall no more carry thee captive:

\par }{\Q He has visited thine iniquities, O daughter of Edom;

\par }{\Q He has discovered thy sins.


\par }{\BB \par }


\PoetryChap{5}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us:

\par }{\Q Behold, and look on our reproach.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Our inheritance has been turned away to aliens,

\par }{\Q Our houses to strangers:


\par }{\Q \VS{3}We are become orphans, we have no father,

\par }{\Q Our mothers are as widows.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}We have drunk our water for money;

\par }{\Q Our wood is sold to us
{\ADD{for a burden}} on our neck:


\par }{\Q \VS{5}We have been persecuted,

\par }{\Q We have labored, we have had no rest.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Egypt gave the hand
{\ADD{to us}},

\par }{\Q Assyria to their own satisfaction.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Our fathers sinned,
{\ADD{and}} are not:

\par }{\Q We have borne their iniquities.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Servants have ruled over us:

\par }{\Q There is none to ransom
{\ADD{us}} out of their hand.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}We shall bring in our bread with
{\ADD{danger of}} our lives,

\par }{\Q Because of the sword of the wilderness.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Our skin is blackened like an oven;

\par }{\Q They are convulsed, because of the storms of famine.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}They humbled the women in Zion,

\par }{\Q The virgins in the cities of Judah.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Princes were hanged up by their hands: the elders were not honored.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The chosen men lifted up
{\ADD{the voice in}} weeping,

\par }{\Q And the youths fainted under the wood.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}And the elders ceased from the gate,

\par }{\Q The chosen men ceased from their music.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The joy of our heart has ceased;

\par }{\Q Our dance is turned into mourning.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The crown has fallen
{\ADD{from}} our head:

\par }{\Q Yea, woe to us! for we have sinned.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}For this has grief come; our heart is sorrowful:

\par }{\Q For this our eyes are darkened.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Over the mountain of Zion, because it is made desolate,

\par }{\Q Foxes have walked therein.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}But thou, O Lord, shalt dwell forever;

\par }{\Q Thy throne
{\ADD{shall endure}} to generation and generation.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Wherefore wilt thou utterly forget us,

\par }{\Q And abandon us a long time?


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Turn us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be turned;

\par }{\Q And renew our days as before.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}For thou hast indeed rejected us;

\par }{\Q Thou hast been very wroth against us.


\par }