1 Terrors of the Besieged City א Aleph How the gold has become tarnished, the fine gold become dull! The stones of the temple Or The sacred gems lie scattered at the head of every street.2 ב Beth Zion’s precious children — once worth their weight in pure gold — how they are regarded as clay jars, the work of a potter’s hands!3 ג Gimel Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my dear people have become cruel like ostriches in the wilderness.4 ד Daleth The nursing baby’s tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Infants beg for food, but no one gives them any.5 ה He Those who used to eat delicacies are destitute in the streets; those who were reared in purple garments huddle in trash heaps.6 ו Waw The punishment of my dear people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand laid on it.7 ז Zayin Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies Lit bones were more ruddy than coral, their appearance like lapis lazuli.8 ח Cheth Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood.9 ט Teth Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.10 י Yod The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they became their food during the destruction of my dear people.11 כ Kaph The Lord has exhausted his wrath, poured out his burning anger; he has ignited a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.12 ל Lamed The kings of the earth and all the world’s inhabitants did not believe that an enemy or adversary could enter Jerusalem’s gates.13 מ Mem Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her.14 נ Nun Blind, they stumbled in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments.15 ס Samek “Stay away! Unclean! ” people shouted at them. “Away, away! Don’t touch us! ” So they wandered aimlessly. It was said among the nations, “They can stay here no longer.”16 פ Pe The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are not respected; the elders find no favor.17 ע Ayin All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help; we watched from our towers for a nation that would not save us.18 צ Tsade Our steps were closely followed so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end approached; our time ran out. Our end had come!19 ק Qoph Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.20 ר Resh The Lord ’s anointed, the breath of our life, Lit nostrils was captured in their traps. We had said about him, “We will live under his protection among the nations.”21 ׂש Sin So rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you resident of the land of Uz! Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself.22 ת Taw Daughter Zion, your punishment is complete; he will not lengthen your exile. Or not deport you again But he will punish your iniquity, Daughter Edom, and will expose your sins.