ז (Zayin) Her consecrated ones were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies more ruddy than corals, their hair like lapis lazuli.

ד (Dalet) He prepared his bow like an enemy; his right hand was ready to shoot. Like a foe he killed everyone, even our strong young men; he has poured out his anger like fire on the tent of Daughter Zion.

He has obstructed my paths and torn me to pieces; he has made me desolate.

ב (Bet) She weeps bitterly at night; tears stream down her cheeks. She has no one to comfort her among all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.

ל (Lamed) Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by on the road? Look and see! Is there any pain like mine? The Lord has afflicted me, he has inflicted it on me when he burned with anger.

ל (Lamed) To crush underfoot all the earth’s prisoners,

You came near on the day I called to you; you said, “Do not fear!”

Watch them from morning to evening; I am the object of their mocking songs.

The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped playing their music.

ע (Ayin) The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his promise that he threatened long ago: He has overthrown you without mercy and has enabled the enemy to gloat over you; he has exalted your adversaries’ power.

Why should any living person complain when punished for his sins?

צ (Tsade) The Lord is right to judge me! Yes, I rebelled against his commands. Please listen, all you nations, and look at my suffering! My young women and men have gone into exile.

ח (Khet) The Lord was determined to tear down Daughter Zion’s wall. He prepared to knock it down; he did not withdraw his hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and fortified walls lament; together they mourned their ruin.

ת (Tav) O people of Zion, your punishment will come to an end; he will not prolong your exile. But, O people of Edom, he will punish your sin and reveal your offenses!

He has besieged and surrounded me with bitter hardship.

He has given me my fill of bitter herbs and made me drunk with bitterness.

ז (Zayin) Remember my impoverished and homeless condition, which is a bitter poison.

But this I call to mind; therefore I have hope:

For he is not predisposed to afflict or to grieve people.

נ (Nun) Let us carefully examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord.