10. The elders of Daughter Zionsit on the ground in silence.They have thrown dirt on their heads;They have dressed in sackcloth.Jerusalem’s young women stare down at the ground.כ (Kaf)
11. My eyes are worn out from weeping;my stomach is in knots.My heart is poured out on the grounddue to the destruction of my helpless people; children and infants faintin the town squares.ל (Lamed)
12. Children say to their mothers,“Where are food and drink?”They faint like a wounded warriorin the city squares.They die slowlyin their mothers’ arms.מ (Mem)
13. With what can I equate you?To what can I compare you, O Daughter Jerusalem?To what can I liken youso that I might comfort you, O Virgin Daughter Zion?Your wound is as deep as the sea.Who can heal you?נ (Nun)
14. Your prophets saw visions for youthat were worthless lies. They failed to expose your sinso as to restore your fortunes.They saw oracles for youthat were worthless lies.ס (Samek)
15. All who passed by on the roadclapped their hands to mock you.They sneered and shook their headsat Daughter Jerusalem.“Ha! Is this the city they called ‘The perfection of beauty,the source of joy of the whole earth!’?”פ (Pe)
16. All your enemiesgloated over you. They sneered and gnashed their teeth;they said, “We have destroyed her!Ha! We have waited a long time for this day.We have lived to see it!”ע (Ayin)
17. The Lord has done what he planned;he has fulfilled his promisethat he threatened long ago:He has overthrown you without mercyand has enabled the enemy to gloat over you;he has exalted your adversaries’ power.צ (Tsade)
18. Cry out from your heart to the Lord,O wall of Daughter Zion!Make your tears flow like a riverall day and all night long!Do not rest;do not let your tears stop!ק (Qof)
19. Get up! Cry out in the nightwhen the night watches start! Pour out your heart like waterbefore the face of the Lord!Lift up your hands to himfor your children’s lives;they are fainting at every street corner.ר (Resh)
20. Look, O Lord! Consider!Whom have you ever afflicted like this?Should women eat their offspring,their healthy infants?Should priest and prophet be killed in the Lord’s sanctuary?ש (Sin/Shin)
21. The young boys and old menlie dead on the ground in the streets. My young women and my young menhave fallen by the sword.You killed them when you were angry;you slaughtered them without mercy.ת (Tav)
22. As if it were a feast day, you callenemies to terrify me on every side.On the day of the Lord’s angerno one escaped or survived.My enemy has finished offthose healthy infants whom I bore and raised.