LAMENTATIONS Chapter 2 (GNB)
SERAPHIM
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2:1
The Lord in his anger has covered Zion with darkness. Its heavenly splendor he
has turned into ruins. On the day of his anger he abandoned even his Temple.
2:2
The Lord destroyed without mercy every village in Judah And tore down the forts
that defended the land. He brought disgrace on the kingdom and its rulers.
2:3
In his fury he shattered the strength of Israel; He refused to help us when the
enemy came. He raged against us like fire, destroying everything.
2:4
He aimed his arrows at us like an enemy; He killed all those who were our joy
and delight. Here in Jerusalem we felt his burning anger.
2:5
Like an enemy, the Lord has destroyed Israel; He has left her forts and palaces
in ruins. He has brought on the people of Judah unending sorrow.
2:6
He smashed to pieces the Temple where we worshiped him; He has put an end to
holy days and Sabbaths. King and priest alike have felt the force of his anger.
2:7
The Lord rejected his altar and deserted his holy Temple; He allowed the enemy
to tear down its walls. They shouted in victory where once we had worshiped in
joy.
2:8
The LORD was determined that the walls of Zion should fall; He measured them
off to make sure of total destruction. The towers and walls now lie in ruins
together.
2:9
The gates lie buried in rubble, their bars smashed to pieces. The king and the
noblemen now are in exile. The Law is no longer taught, and the prophets have
no visions from the LORD.
2:10
Jerusalem's old men sit on the ground in silence, With dust on their heads and
sackcloth on their bodies. Young women bow their heads to the ground.
2:11
My eyes are worn out with weeping; my soul is in anguish. I am exhausted with
grief at the destruction of my people. Children and babies are fainting in the
streets of the city.
2:12
Hungry and thirsty, they cry to their mothers; They fall in the streets as
though they were wounded, And slowly die in their mothers' arms.
2:13
O Jerusalem, beloved Jerusalem, what can I say? How can I comfort you? No one
has ever suffered like this. Your disaster is boundless as the ocean; there is
no possible hope.
2:14
Your prophets had nothing to tell you but lies; Their preaching deceived you by
never exposing your sin. They made you think you did not need to repent.
2:15
People passing by the city look at you in scorn. They shake their heads and
laugh at Jerusalem's ruins: "Is this that lovely city? Is this the pride
of the world?"
2:16
All your enemies mock you and glare at you with hate. They curl their lips and
sneer, "We have destroyed it! This is the day we have waited for!"
2:17
The LORD has finally done what he threatened to do: He has destroyed us without
mercy, as he warned us long ago. He gave our enemies victory, gave them joy at
our downfall.
2:18
O Jerusalem, let your very walls cry out to the Lord! Let your tears flow like
rivers night and day; Wear yourself out with weeping and grief !
2:19
All through the night get up again and again to cry out to the Lord; Pour out
your heart and beg him for mercy on your children--- Children starving to death
on every street corner!
2:20
Look, O LORD! Why are you punishing us like this? Women are eating the bodies
of the children they loved! Priests and prophets are being killed in the Temple
itself !
2:21
Young and old alike lie dead in the streets, Young men and women, killed by
enemy swords. You slaughtered them without mercy on the day of your anger.
2:22
You invited my enemies to hold a carnival of terror all around me, And no one
could escape on that day of your anger. They murdered my children, whom I had
raised and loved.
CHAPTER
ENDS
SERAPHIM
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