4. He bends his bow against his people,as though he were their enemy.His strength is used against themto kill their finest youth.His fury is poured out like fireon beautiful Jerusalem.
5. Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israellike an enemy.He has destroyed her palacesand demolished her fortresses.He has brought unending sorrow and tearsupon beautiful Jerusalem.
6. He has broken down his Templeas though it were merely a garden shelter.The lord has blotted out all memoryof the holy festivals and Sabbath days.Kings and priests fall togetherbefore his fierce anger.
7. The Lord has rejected his own altar;he despises his own sanctuary.He has given Jerusalem’s palacesto her enemies.They shout in the lord’s Templeas though it were a day of celebration.
8. The lord was determinedto destroy the walls of beautiful Jerusalem.He made careful plans for their destruction,then did what he had planned.Therefore, the ramparts and wallshave fallen down before him.