Lamentations 1

1 After Israel was taken captive and Jerusalem was made desolate, Jeremiah sat weeping. He sang this dirge over Jerusalem and said,

Aleph — How the once-crowded city sits alone! She has become like a widow. Once great among the nations and a ruler among the provinces, she has become subject to tribute.

2 Beth — She weeps bitterly through the night, tears running down her cheeks. None of all her lovers comforts her. All her friends have betrayed her and become her enemies.

3 Gimel — Judah has gone into exile because of her affliction and the weight of her slavery. She lives among the nations and finds no rest. All her pursuers caught her between her oppressors.

4 Daleth — The roads to Zion mourn because no one comes to the feast. All her gates are ruined, her priests groan, her young women are led away, and she is bitter within herself.

5 He — Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper. The Lord has brought her low because of her many ungodly acts. Her little children have gone into exile before the oppressor.

6 Vau — All the beauty of the daughter of Zion has departed. Her rulers became like rams that find no pasture, and they went away powerless before the pursuer.

7 Zain — Jerusalem remembered the days of her affliction and rejection, and all the treasures she had in ancient days. When her people fell into the oppressor’s hand, no one helped her. Her enemies saw her exile and laughed.

8 Heth — Jerusalem sinned greatly, and so she was shaken. All who once honored her brought her low when they saw her shame. She herself groaned and turned away.

9 Teth — Her uncleanness clings to her feet. She did not remember her end. Her boasting was brought low, and no one comforts her. Look at my affliction, Lord, because the enemy has made himself great.

10 Jod — The oppressor stretched his hand over all her treasures. She saw the nations enter her sanctuary, though you commanded that they must not enter your assembly.

11 Chaph — All her people groan as they search for bread. They trade their treasures for food to restore their lives. Look, Lord, and see how I have been dishonored.

12 Lamed — Not to you, all you who pass along the road! Turn and see whether any sorrow is like the sorrow that has come on me. The Lord, speaking through me, brought me low on the day of his fierce anger.

13 Mem — He sent fire down from his height and brought it into my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate and left me in pain all day.

14 Nun — He kept watch over my ungodly acts. They were twisted around my hands and rose to my neck. My strength failed because the Lord placed pains in my hands; I cannot stand.

15 Samech — The Lord removed all my strong men from among me. He appointed a time to crush my chosen men. The Lord trampled the young woman, the daughter of Judah, like grapes in a winepress. Because of this I weep.

16 Ain — My eye pours out water because the one who should comfort me and restore my soul is far away. My sons have been destroyed because the enemy has prevailed.

17 Phe — Zion stretches out her hands, but no one comforts her. The Lord commanded that Jacob’s oppressors surround him. Jerusalem has become like an unclean woman among them.

18 Tsade — The Lord is righteous, because I rebelled against his word. Listen, all peoples, and see my grief. My young women and young men have gone into exile.

19 Koph — I called to my lovers, but they deceived me. My priests and elders perished in the city while searching for food to restore their lives, but they found none.

20 Resh — Look, Lord, because I am afflicted. My belly churns and my heart turns within me, because I have rebelled bitterly. Outside, the sword has left me childless, like death in the house.

21 Sin — Hear how I groan. No one comforts me. All my enemies heard of my troubles and rejoiced because you did this. You brought the day and appointed the time; now they have become like me.

22 Thau — Let all their evil come before you. Glean them as they gleaned me for all my sins, because my groans are many and my heart is grieving.