4. 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 fireon the tent of Daughter Zion.ה (He)
5. The Lord, like an enemy,destroyed Israel.He destroyed all her palaces;he ruined her fortified cities.He made everyone in Daughter Judahmourn and lament.ו (Vav)
6. He destroyed his temple as if it were a vineyard;he destroyed his appointed meeting place.The Lord has made those in Zion forgetboth the festivals and the Sabbaths. In his fierce anger he has spurnedboth king and priest.ז (Zayin)
7. The Lord rejected his altarand abhorred his temple.He handed over to the enemy her palace walls;the enemy shouted in the Lord’s templeas if it were a feast day.ח (Khet)
8. The Lord was determined to tear downDaughter 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.ט (Tet)
9. Her city gates have fallen to the ground;he smashed to bits the bars that lock her gates. Her king and princes were taken into exile;there is no more guidance available.As for her prophets, they no longer receive a vision from the Lord.י (Yod)
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)