(A)Judah has gone into captivity,
Under affliction and hard servitude;
(B)She dwells among the [a]nations,
She finds no (C)rest;
All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits.

The roads to Zion mourn
Because no one comes to the [b]set feasts.
All her gates are (D)desolate;
Her priests sigh,
Her virgins are afflicted,
And she is in bitterness.

Her adversaries (E)have become [c]the master,
Her enemies prosper;
For the Lord has afflicted her
(F)Because of the multitude of her transgressions.
Her (G)children have gone into captivity before the enemy.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 1:3 Gentiles
  2. Lamentations 1:4 appointed
  3. Lamentations 1:5 Lit. her head

After affliction and harsh labor,
    Judah has gone into exile.(A)
She dwells among the nations;
    she finds no resting place.(B)
All who pursue her have overtaken her(C)
    in the midst of her distress.

The roads to Zion mourn,(D)
    for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
All her gateways are desolate,(E)
    her priests groan,
her young women grieve,
    and she is in bitter anguish.(F)

Her foes have become her masters;
    her enemies are at ease.
The Lord has brought her grief(G)
    because of her many sins.(H)
Her children have gone into exile,(I)
    captive before the foe.(J)

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