Add parallel Print Page Options

15 On your head, now, passersby heap scorn;
    they wag their fingers, shake their heads at daughter Jerusalem.

Passersby: Is this the city everyone thought was so great—
        a city of perfect beauty and
    Earth’s pride and joy?

16 Pursuing you, your enemies cut you down.

Enemies: Ha! Would the day ever come? We’ve got her now!
        Look, we’ve swallowed her whole, destroyed her.
    We waited anxiously for today,
        and we made it happen!

17 Question the Eternal One about what He has done.
    He determined—punished according to the term and tenets
He laid down so long ago.
    He executed fierce destruction without pity
And made your enemy glad.
    He has made them prevail with might.

Read full chapter

15 All who pass your way
    clap their hands at you;(A)
they scoff(B) and shake their heads(C)
    at Daughter Jerusalem:(D)
“Is this the city that was called
    the perfection of beauty,(E)
    the joy of the whole earth?”(F)

16 All your enemies open their mouths
    wide against you;(G)
they scoff and gnash their teeth(H)
    and say, “We have swallowed her up.(I)
This is the day we have waited for;
    we have lived to see it.”(J)

17 The Lord has done what he planned;
    he has fulfilled(K) his word,
    which he decreed long ago.(L)
He has overthrown you without pity,(M)
    he has let the enemy gloat over you,(N)
    he has exalted the horn[a] of your foes.(O)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 2:17 Horn here symbolizes strength.