Jerusalem Speaks:

“Look, O Lord! Consider78

that I have become worthless!”

ל (Lamed)

1:12 Is it nothing to you,79 all you who pass by on the road?80

Look and see!

Is there any pain like mine?

The Lord81 has afflicted me,82

he83 has inflicted it on me

when84 he burned with anger.85

מ (Mem)

1:13 He sent down fire86

into my bones, and it overcame87 them.

He spread out a trapper’s net88 for my feet;

he made me turn back.

He has made me desolate;

I am faint all day long.

נ (Nun)

1:14 My sins are bound around my neck like a yoke;89

they are fastened together by his hand.

He has placed his yoke90 on my neck;91

he has sapped my strength.92

The Lord93 has handed me over94

to those whom I cannot resist.

ס (Samek)

1:15 He rounded up95 all my mighty ones;96

The Lord97 did this98 in99 my midst.

He summoned an assembly100 against me

to shatter my young men.

The Lord has stomped like grapes101

the virgin daughter, Judah.102

ע (Ayin)

1:16 I weep because of these things;

my eyes103 flow with tears.104

For there is no one in sight who can comfort me105

or encourage me.106

My children107 are desolated108

because an enemy has prevailed.