Lamentationes 4
1 ALEPH quomodo obscuratum est aurum mutatus est color optimus dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum
ALEPH. O how the gold has become dulled, the finest color has been altered, the stones of the sanctuary have been scattered at the head of every street.
2 BETH filii Sion incliti et amicti auro primo quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea opus manuum figuli
BETH. The famous sons of Zion, and those clothed with the foremost gold: how they have become like earthen vessels, the work of the hands of a potter.
3 GIMEL sed et lamiae nudaverunt mammam lactaverunt catulos suos filia populi mei crudelis quasi strutio in deserto
GHIMEL. Yet even savages expose their breast and give milk to their young. But the daughter of my people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert.
4 DELETH adhesit lingua lactantis ad palatum eius in siti parvuli petierunt panem et non erat qui frangeret eis
DALETH. The tongue of the infant adheres to his palate out of thirst. The little ones have asked for bread, and there was no one to break it for them.
5 HE qui vescebantur voluptuose interierunt in viis qui nutriebantur in croceis amplexati sunt stercora
HE. Those who were fed indulgently have passed away in the roads. Those who were nourished with saffron have welcomed filth.
6 VAV et maior effecta est iniquitas filiae populi mei peccato Sodomorum quae subversa est in momento et non ceperunt in ea manus
VAU. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people has been made greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and yet hands did not take captives in her.
7 ZAI candidiores nazarei eius nive nitidiores lacte rubicundiores ebore antiquo sapphyro pulchriores
ZAIN. Her Nazirites were whiter than snow, shinier than milk, more ruddy than ancient ivory, more beautiful than sapphire.
8 HETH denigrata est super carbones facies eorum et non sunt cogniti in plateis adhesit cutis eorum ossibus aruit et facta est quasi lignum
HETH. Their face has been blacked more than coals, and they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has adhered to their bones; it dried out and became like wood.
9 TETH melius fuit occisis gladio quam interfectis fame quoniam isti extabuerunt consumpti ab sterilitate terrae
TETH. It was better for those slain by the sword, than for those put to death by famine. For these waste away, being consumed by the sterility of the land.
10 IOTH manus mulierum misericordium coxerunt filios suos facti sunt cibus earum in contritione filiae populi mei
JOD. The hands of pitiable women have boiled their sons. They became their food in the grief of the daughter of my people.
11 CAPH conplevit Dominus furorem suum effudit iram indignationis suae et succendit ignem in Sion et devoravit fundamenta eius
CAPH. The Lord has completed his fury; he has poured out the wrath of his indignation. And he has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has devoured its foundations.
12 LAMED non crediderunt reges terrae et universi habitatores orbis quoniam ingrederetur hostis et inimicus per portas Hierusalem
LAMED. The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, did not believe that the adversary and the enemy would enter through the gates of Jerusalem.
13 MEM propter peccata prophetarum eius iniquitates sacerdotum eius qui effuderunt in medio eius sanguinem iustorum
MEM. It is because of the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed the blood of the just in her midst.
14 NUN erraverunt caeci in plateis polluti sunt sanguine cumque non possent tenuerunt lacinias suas
NUN. They have wandered in the streets like the blind; they have been defiled with blood. And when they were not able, they held their garments.
15 SAMECH recedite polluti clamaverunt eis recedite abite nolite tangere iurgati quippe sunt et commoti dixerunt inter gentes non addet ultra ut habitet in eis
SAMECH. “Go back, you polluted ones!” they cried out to them. “Go back, go away, do not touch!” Of course, they argued, and being removed, they said among the Gentiles, “He will no longer dwell among them.”
16 FE facies Domini divisit eos non addet ut respiciat eos facies sacerdotum non erubuerunt neque senum miserti sunt
PHE. The face of the Lord has divided them. He will no longer respect them. They were not ashamed before the faces of the priests, nor did they take pity on the elderly.
17 AIN cum adhuc subsisteremus defecerunt oculi nostri ad auxilium nostrum vanum cum respiceremus adtenti ad gentem quae salvare non poterat
AIN. While we were still standing, our eyes failed, expecting help for us in vain, when we looked attentively toward a nation that was not able to save.
18 SADE lubricaverunt vestigia nostra in itinere platearum nostrarum adpropinquavit finis noster conpleti sunt dies nostri quia venit finis noster
SADE. Our footsteps have slipped on the paths of our own streets. Our end draws near. Our days have been completed, for our end has arrived.
19 COPH velociores fuerunt persecutores nostri aquilis caeli super montes persecuti sunt nos in deserto insidiati sunt nobis
COPH. Our persecutors have been swifter than the eagles of the sky. They have been pursuing us above the mountains; they have lain in wait for us in the desert.
20 RES spiritus oris nostri christus dominus captus est in peccatis nostris cui diximus in umbra tua vivemus in gentibus
RES. The spirit of our mouth, Christ the Lord, has been captured by our sins; to him, we said, “In your shadow, we will live among the Gentiles.”
21 SEN gaude et laetare filia Edom quae habitas in terra Hus ad te quoque perveniet calix inebriaberis atque nudaberis
SIN. Be glad and rejoice, O daughter of Edom, who dwells in the Land of Uz. The cup will also pass to you; you will be inebriated as well as naked.
22 THAU conpleta est iniquitas tua filia Sion non addet ultra ut transmigret te visitavit iniquitatem tuam filia Edom discoperuit peccata tua
THAU. Your iniquity has been completed, O daughter of Zion. He will no longer send you away to captivity. He has visited your iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he has uncovered your sins.
