ע (Ayin)
1:16 I weep because of these things;
my eyes 1 flow with tears. 2
For there is no one in sight who can comfort me 3
or encourage me. 4
My children 5 are desolated 6
because an enemy has prevailed.
פ (Pe)
1:17 Zion spread out her hands,
but there is no one to comfort her.
The Lord has issued a decree against Jacob;
his neighbors 7 have become his enemies.
Jerusalem has become
like filthy garbage 8 in their midst. 9
צ (Tsade)
1:18 The Lord is right to judge me! 10
Yes, I rebelled against his commands. 11
Please listen, all you nations, 12
and look at my suffering!
My young women and men
have gone into exile.
ק (Qof)
1:19 I called for my lovers, 13
but they had deceived me.
My priests and my elders
perished in the city.
Truly they had 14 searched for food
to 15 keep themselves 16 alive. 17
ר (Resh)
1:20 Look, O Lord! I am distressed; 18
my stomach is in knots! 19
My heart is pounding 20 inside me.
Yes, I was terribly rebellious! 21
Out in the street the sword bereaves a mother of her children; 22
Inside the house death is present. 23
ש (Sin/Shin)
1:21 They have heard 24 that I groan,
yet there is no one to comfort me.
All my enemies have heard of my trouble;
they are glad that you 25 have brought it about. 26
Bring about 27 the day of judgment 28 that you promised 29
so that 30 they may end up 31 like me!
ת (Tav)
1:22 Let all their wickedness come before you;
afflict 32 them
just as you have afflicted 33 me 34
because of all my acts of rebellion. 35
For my groans are many,
and my heart is sick with sorrow. 36