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[[Image:Jeremiah.jpg|thumb|Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem, by Rembrandt]]
'''''Lamentationes Ieremiae''''' (English '''Lamentations of Jeremiah''')


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In the Greek and Latin Bibles there are five songs of lament bearing the name of Jeremiah, which follow the Book of the Prophecy of Jeremias. In the Hebrew these are entitled Kinôth. from their elegiac character, or the <i>'Ekhah</i> songs after the first word of the first, second, and fourth elegies; in Greek they are called ''Threnoi'', in Latin they are known as ''Lamentationes''.
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<div style="border: 2px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 6px 6px 3px 6px; align:center; valign:middle;">[[Image:Jeremiah.jpg|Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem by Rembrandt]]<br>
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<small>''Jeremiah lamenting<br>the destruction of Jerusalem''<br>by Rembrandt</small>
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<b><i>Lamentationes Ieremiae</i></b> (English <b>Lamentations of Jeremiah</b>) In the Greek and Latin Bibles there are five songs of lament bearing the name of Jeremiah, which follow the Book of the Prophecy of Jeremias. In the Hebrew these are entitled Kinôth. from their elegiac character, or the <i>'Ekhah</i> songs after the first word of the first, second, and fourth elegies; in Greek they are called <i>Threnoi</i>, in Latin they are known as <i>Lamentationes</i>.
The superscription to Lamentations in the Septuagint and other versions throws light on the historical occasion of their production and on the author: "And it came to pass, after Israel was carried into captivity, and Jerusalem was desolate, that Jeremiah the prophet sat weeping, and mourned with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and with a sorrowful mind, sighing and moaning, he said:".
The superscription to Lamentations in the Septuagint and other versions throws light on the historical occasion of their production and on the author: "And it came to pass, after Israel was carried into captivity, and Jerusalem was desolate, that Jeremiah the prophet sat weeping, and mourned with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and with a sorrowful mind, sighing and moaning, he said:".


To a man like Jeremiah, the day on which Jerusalem became a heap of ruins was not only a day of national misfortune, for, in a religious sense, Jerusalem had a peculiar importance in the history of salvation, as the footstool of Jahweh and as the scene of the revelation of God and of the Messias. Consequently, the grief of Jeremiah was personal, not merely a sympathetic emotion over the sorrow of others, for he had sought to prevent the disaster by his labours as a prophet in the streets of the city. All the fibres of his heart were bound up with Jerusalem; he was now himself crushed and desolate.  
To a man like Jeremiah, the day on which Jerusalem became a heap of ruins was not only a day of national misfortune, for, in a religious sense, Jerusalem had a peculiar importance in the history of salvation, as the footstool of Jahweh and as the scene of the revelation of God and of the Messias. Consequently, the grief of Jeremiah was personal, not merely a sympathetic emotion over the sorrow of others, for he had sought to prevent the disaster by his labours as a prophet in the streets of the city. All the fibres of his heart were bound up with Jerusalem; he was now himself crushed and desolate.  


In all five elegies the construction of the verses follows an alphabetical arrangement. The first, second, fourth, and fifth laments are each composed of twenty-two verses, to correspond with the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the third lament is made up of three times twenty-two verses. In the first, second, and fourth elegies each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the letters following in order, as the first verse begins with Aleph, the second with Beth, etc.
In all five elegies the construction of the verses follows an alphabetical arrangement. The first, second, fourth, and fifth laments are each composed of twenty-two verses, to correspond with the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the third lament is made up of three times twenty-two verses. In the first, second, and fourth elegies each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the letters following in order, as the first verse begins with ALEPH, the second with BETH etc.


The Lamentations have received a peculiar distinction in the Liturgy of the Church in the Office of Passion Week. If Christ Himself designated His death as the destruction of a temple, "he spoke of the temple of his body" (John 2:19-21), then the Church surely has a right to pour out her grief over His death in those Lamentations which were sung over the ruins of the temple destroyed by the sins of the nation.
The Lamentations have received a peculiar distinction in the Liturgy of the Church in the Office of Passion Week. If Christ Himself designated His death as the destruction of a temple, "he spoke of the temple of his body" (John 2:19-21), then the Church surely has a right to pour out her grief over His death in those Lamentations which were sung over the ruins of the temple destroyed by the sins of the nation.


==Musical settings at CPDL==
==Settings by composers==
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==External links==
*[http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/misc/lamentations.htm Article on the Lamentations ], with examples of distribution of verses among the tenebrae services.


== Text and translations ==
== Text and translations ==
Different authors have set to music different verses. The particular verses of one musical settings are mentioned in the "Edition Notes". 
Different authors have set to music different Vss. The particular Vss of one musical settings are mentioned in the author's page and in the music's page. Often the setting starts with the words ''Incipit lamentatio Ieremiae prophetae'' (if the Vss are the first ones of one lamentation) or ''De lamentatione Ieremiae prophetae'' (if the Vss are not at the beginning of one lamentation). The settings always end with the words ''Ierusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum'' ("Jerusalem, return to the Lord thy God").
{{Text|Latin}}
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<big><b>1  </b></big>
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<br>1.1 ALEPH. Quomodo sedet sola
civitas plena populo!
Facta est quasi vidua
domina gentium;
princeps provinciarum
facta est sub tributo.
<br>1.2 BETH. Plorans plorat in nocte,
et lacrimae eius in maxillis eius;
non est qui consoletur eam
ex omnibus caris eius:
omnes amici eius spreverunt eam
et facti sunt ei inimici.
<br>1.3 GHIMEL. Migravit Iudas prae afflictione
et multitudine servitutis;
habitat inter gentes
nec invenit requiem:
omnes persecutores eius apprehenderunt eam
inter angustias.
<br>1.4 DALETH. Viae Sion lugent,
eo quod non sint qui veniant ad sollemnitatem;
omnes portae eius destructae,
sacerdotes eius gementes,
virgines eius afflictae,
et ipsa oppressa amaritudine.
<br>1.5 HE. Facti sunt hostes eius in caput,
inimici eius in securitate,
quia Dominus afflixit eam
propter multitudinem iniquitatum eius;
parvuli eius ducti sunt captivi
ante faciem tribulantis.
<br>1.6 VAU. Et egressus est a filia Sion
omnis decor eius;
facti sunt principes eius velut cervi
non invenientes pascua
et abierunt absque fortitudine
ante faciem persequentis.
<br>1.7 ZAIN. Recordata est Ierusalem
dierum afflictionis suae et peregrinationis,
omnium desiderabilium suorum,
quae habuerat a diebus antiquis,
cum caderet populus eius in manu hostili,
et non esset auxiliator;
viderunt eam hostes
et deriserunt interitum eius.
<br>1.8 HETH. Peccatum peccavit Ierusalem,
propterea abominabilis facta est;
omnes, qui glorificabant eam, spreverunt illam,
quia viderunt ignominiam eius:
ipsa autem gemens
conversa est retrorsum.
<br>1.9 TETH. Sordes eius in fimbriis eius,
nec recordata est finis sui;
deposita est vehementer,
non habens consolatorem.
Vide, Domine, afflictionem meam, quoniam erectus est inimicus!
<br>1.10 IOD. Manum suam misit hostis
ad omnia desiderabilia eius,
quia vidit gentes
ingressas sanctuarium suum,
de quibus praeceperas,
ne intrarent in ecclesiam tuam.
<br>1.11 CAPH. Omnis populus eius gemens
et quaerens panem;
dederunt pretiosa quaeque pro cibo
ad refocillandam animam.
Vide, Domine, et considera,
quoniam facta sum vilis!
<br>1.12 LAMED. O vos omnes, qui transitis per viam,
attendite et videte,
si est dolor sicut dolor meus,
quem paravit mihi,
quo afflixit me Dominus
in die irae furoris sui.
<br>1.13 MEM. De excelso misit ignem,
in ossa mea immisit eum;
expandit rete pedibus meis,
convertit me retrorsum:
posuit me desolatam,
tota die maerore confectam.
<br>1.14 NUN. Vigilavit super iniquitates meas,
in manu eius convolutae sunt
et impositae collo meo;
debilitavit virtutem meam:
dedit me Dominus in manu,
de qua non potero surgere.
<br>1.15 SAMECH. Sprevit omnes fortes meos
Dominus in medio mei;
vocavit adversum me conventum,
ut contereret iuvenes meos:
torcular calcavit Dominus
virgini filiae Iudae.
<br>1.16 AIN. Idcirco ego plorans,
et oculus meus deducens aquas,
quia longe factus est a me consolator
reficiens animam meam;
facti sunt filii mei desolati,
quoniam invaluit inimicus ”.
<br>1.17 PHE. Expandit Sion manus suas,
non est qui consoletur eam;
mandavit Dominus adversum Iacob
in circuitu eius hostes eius:
facta est Ierusalem
quasi polluta menstruis inter eos.
<br>1.18 SADE. “ Iustus est Dominus,
quia contra os eius rebellis fui.
Audite, obsecro, universi populi,
et videte dolorem meum:
virgines meae et iuvenes mei
abierunt in captivitatem.
<br>1.19 COPH. Vocavi amicos meos,
et ipsi deceperunt me;
sacerdotes mei et senes mei
in urbe consumpti sunt,
quia quaesierunt cibum sibi,
ut refocillarent animam suam.
<br>1.20 RES. Vide, Domine, quoniam tribulor;
efferbuerunt viscera mea,
subversum est cor meum in memetipsa,
quoniam valde rebellis fui;
foris orbavit me gladius
et domi mors.
<br>1.21 SIN. Audi, quia ingemisco ego,
et non est qui consoletur me;
omnes inimici mei audierunt malum meum,
laetati sunt quoniam tu fecisti.
Adduc diem, quem proclamasti,
et fient similes mei.
<br>1.22 THAU. Ingrediatur omne malum eorum coram te,
et fac eis,
sicut fecisti mihi
propter omnes iniquitates meas;
multi enim gemitus mei,
et cor meum maerens.


<big><b>2 </b> </big>
'''<small>(from the [http://www.newadvent.org/bible/lam001.htm Clementine Vulgate])</small>'''
<br>2.1 ALEPH. Quomodo obtexit caligine in furore suo
Dominus filiam Sion!
Proiecit de caelo in terram
gloriam Israel
et non est recordatus scabelli pedum suorum
in die furoris sui.
<br>2.2 BETH. Praecipitavit Dominus
nec pepercit omnia pascua Iacob;
destruxit in furore suo
munitiones filiae Iudae;
deiecit in terram, polluit
regnum et principes eius.
<br>2.3 GHIMEL. Confregit in ira furoris sui
omne cornu Israel;
avertit retrorsum dexteram suam
a facie inimici
et succendit in Iacob quasi ignem flammae
devorantis in gyro.
<br>2.4 DALETH. Tetendit arcum suum quasi inimicus,
firmavit dexteram suam quasi hostis
et occidit omne,
quod pulchrum erat visu,
in tabernaculo filiae Sion;
effudit quasi ignem indignationem suam.
<br>2.5 HE. Factus est Dominus velut inimicus,
deglutivit Israel,
deglutivit omnia moenia eius,
dissipavit munitiones eius
et multiplicavit in filia Iudae
maerorem et maestitiam.
<br>2.6 VAU. Et dissipavit quasi hortum saepem suam,
demolitus est tabernaculum suum; oblivioni tradidit Dominus in Sion festivitatem et sabbatum
et despexit in indignatione furoris sui
regem et sacerdotem.
<br>2.7 ZAIN. Reppulit Dominus altare suum,
maledixit sanctuario suo;
tradidit in manu inimici
muros domorum eius:
vocem dederunt in domo Domini
sicut in die sollemni.
<br>2.8 HETH. Cogitavit Dominus dissipare
murum filiae Sion;
tetendit funiculum,
non avertit manum suam a perditione;
et in luctum redegit antemurale et murum:
pariter elanguerunt.
<br>2.9 TETH. Defixae sunt in terra portae eius;
perdidit et contrivit vectes eius.
Rex eius et principes eius in gentibus;
non est lex,
et prophetae eius non invenerunt
visionem a Domino.
<br>2.10 IOD. Sederunt in terra,
conticuerunt senes filiae Sion,
consperserunt cinere capita sua,
accincti sunt ciliciis;
abiecerunt in terram capita sua
virgines Ierusalem.
<br>2.11 CAPH. Defecerunt prae lacrimis oculi mei,
efferbuerunt viscera mea;
effusum est in terra iecur meum
super contritione filiae populi mei,
cum deficeret parvulus et lactans
in plateis oppidi.
<br>2.12 LAMED. Matribus suis dixerunt:
Ubi est triticum et vinum?,
cum deficerent quasi vulnerati
in plateis civitatis,
cum exhalarent animas suas
in sinu matrum suarum.
<br>2.13 MEM. Cui comparabo te vel cui assimilabo te,
filia Ierusalem?
Cui exaequabo te et consolabor te, virgo filia Sion?
Magna est enim velut mare contritio tua;
quis medebitur tui?
<br>2.14 NUN. Prophetae tui viderunt tibi falsa et stulta
nec aperiebant iniquitatem tuam,
ut converterent sortem tuam;
viderunt autem tibi oracula
mendacii et seductionis.
<br>2.15 SAMECH. Plauserunt super te manibus
omnes transeuntes per viam;
sibilaverunt et moverunt caput suum
super filiam Ierusalem:
Haeccine est urbs, quam vocabant perfectum decorem,
gaudium universae terrae?
<br>2.16 PHE. Aperuerunt super te os suum
omnes inimici tui;
sibilaverunt et fremuerunt dentibus
et dixerunt: “ Devoravimus;
en ista est dies, quam exspectabamus:
invenimus, vidimus ”.
<br>2.17 AIN. Fecit Dominus, quae cogitavit;
complevit sermonem suum,
quem praeceperat a diebus antiquis:
destruxit et non pepercit.
Et laetificavit super te inimicum
et exaltavit cornu hostium tuorum.
<br>2.18 SADE. Clamet cor tuum ad Dominum
super muros filiae Sion;
deduc quasi torrentem lacrimas
per diem et noctem.
Non des requiem tibi,
neque taceat pupilla oculi tui.
<br>2.19 COPH. Consurge, lamentare in nocte
in principio vigiliarum,
effunde sicut aquam cor tuum
ante conspectum Domini;
leva ad eum manus tuas
pro anima parvulorum tuorum,
qui defecerunt in fame
in capite omnium compitorum.
<br>2.20 RES. “ Vide, Domine, et considera,
cui feceris ita;
ergone comedent mulieres fructum suum,
parvulos diligenter fovendos?
Num occidetur in sanctuario Domini
sacerdos et propheta?
<br>2.21 SIN. Iacuerunt in terra foris
puer et senex;
virgines meae et iuvenes mei
ceciderunt in gladio:
interfecisti in die furoris tui,
percussisti nec misertus es.
<br>2.22 THAU. Vocasti quasi ad diem sollemnem,
qui terrerent me de circuitu,
et non fuit in die furoris Domini,
qui effugeret et relinqueretur:
quos fovi et enutrivi,
inimicus meus consumpsit eos.


<big><b>3 </b> </big>
'''Chapter 1'''
<br>3.1 ALEPH. Ego vir videns paupertatem meam
{{Text|Latin|
in virga indignationis eius.
{{Vs|1:1}} ALEPH. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! Facta est quasi vidua domina gentium; princeps provinciarum facta est sub tributo.
<br>3.2 ALEPH. Me minavit et adduxit
{{Vs|1:2}} BETH. Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrimæ ejus in maxillis ejus: non est qui consoletur eam, ex omnibus caris ejus; omnes amici ejus spreverunt eam, et facti sunt ei inimici.
in tenebras et non in lucem.
{{Vs|1:3}} GHIMEL. Migravit Judas propter afflictionem, et multitudinem servitutis; habitavit inter gentes, nec invenit requiem: omnes persecutores ejus apprehenderunt eam inter angustias.
<br>3.3 ALEPH. Tantum in me vertit et convertit
{{Vs|1:4}} DALETH. Viæ Sion lugent, eo quod non sint qui veniant ad solemnitatem: omnes portæ ejus destructæ, sacerdotes ejus gementes; virgines ejus squalidæ, et ipsa oppressa amaritudine.
manum suam tota die.
{{Vs|1:5}} HE. Facti sunt hostes ejus in capite; inimici ejus locupletati sunt: quia Dominus locutus est super eam propter multitudinem iniquitatum ejus. Parvuli ejus ducti sunt in captivitatem ante faciem tribulantis.
<br>3.4 BETH. Consumpsit pellem meam et carnem meam,
{{Vs|1:6}} VAU. Et egressus est a filia Sion omnis decor ejus; facti sunt principes ejus velut arietes non invenientes pascua, et abierunt absque fortitudine ante faciem subsequentis.
contrivit ossa mea.
{{Vs|1:7}} ZAIN. Recordata est Jerusalem dierum afflictionis suæ, et prævaricationis, omnium desiderabilium suorum, quæ habuerat a diebus antiquis, cum caderet populus ejus in manu hostili, et non esset auxiliator: viderunt eam hostes, et deriserunt sabbata ejus.
<br>3.5 BETH. Aedificavit in gyro meo
{{Vs|1:8}} HETH. Peccatum peccavit Hierusalem, propterea instabilis facta est: omnes qui glorificabant eam spreverunt illam: quia viderunt ignominiam eius: ipsa autem gemens et conversa retrorsum.
et circumdedit me felle et labore.
{{Vs|1:9}} TETH. Sordes eius in pedibus eius: nec recordata est finis sui. Deposita est vehementer: non habens consolatorem. Vide Domine afflictionem meam: quoniam erectus est inimicus.
<br>3.6 BETH. In tenebrosis collocavit me
{{Vs|1:10}} IOD. Manum suam misit hostis ad omnia desiderabilia ejus, quia vidit gentes ingressas sanctuarium suum, de quibus præceperas ne intrarent in ecclesiam tuam.
quasi mortuos sempiternos.
{{Vs|1:11}} CAPH. Omnis populus ejus gemens, et quærens panem; dederunt pretiosa quæque pro cibo ad refocillandam animam. Vide, Domine, et considera quoniam facta sum vilis!
<br>3.7 GHIMEL. Circumaedificavit adversum me, ut non egrediar,
{{Vs|1:12}} LAMED. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite, et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus! quoniam vindemiavit me, ut locutus est Dominus, in die iræ furoris sui.
aggravavit compedem meum.
{{Vs|1:13}} MEM. De excelso misit ignem in ossibus meis et erudivit me: expandit rete pedibus meis: convertit me retrorsum: posuit me desolatam tota die maerore confectam.}}
<br>3.8 GHIMEL. Sed et cum clamavero et rogavero,
exclusit orationem meam.
<br>3.9 GHIMEL. Conclusit vias meas lapidibus quadris,
semitas meas subvertit.
<br>3.10 DALETH. Ursus insidians factus est mihi,
leo in absconditis.
<br>3.11 DALETH. Semitas meas subvertit et confregit me,
posuit me desolatam.
<br>3.12 DALETH. Tetendit arcum suum et posuit me
quasi signum ad sagittam.
<br>3.13 HE. Misit in renibus meis
filias pharetrae suae.
<br>3.14 HE. Factus sum in derisum omni populo meo,
canticum eorum tota die.
<br>3.15 HE. Replevit me amaritudinibus,
inebriavit me absinthio.
<br>3.16 VAU. Et fregit in glarea dentes meos,
depressit me cinere.
<br>3.17 VAU. Et repulsa est a pace anima mea,
oblitus sum bonorum.
<br>3.18 VAU. Et dixi: Periit splendor meus et spes mea a Domino.
<br>3.19 ZAIN. Recordare paupertatis et peregrinationis meae,
absinthii et fellis.
<br>3.20 ZAIN. Memoria memor est
et tabescit in me anima mea.
<br>3.21 ZAIN. Haec recolam in corde meo,
ideo sperabo.
<br>3.22 HETH. Misericordiae Domini, quia non sumus consumpti,
quia non defecerunt miserationes eius.
<br>3.23 HETH. Novae sunt omni mane,
magna est fides tua.
<br>3.24 HETH. Pars mea Dominus, dixit anima mea;
propterea exspectabo eum.
<br>3.25 TETH. Bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum,
animae quaerenti illum.
<br>3.26 TETH. Bonum est praestolari cum silentio
salutare Domini.
<br>3.27 TETH. Bonum est viro, cum portaverit
iugum ab adulescentia sua.
<br>3.28 IOD. Sedebit solitarius et tacebit,
cum istud imponitur ei.
<br>3.29 IOD. Ponet in pulvere os suum,
si forte sit spes.
<br>3.30 IOD. Dabit percutienti se maxillam,
saturabitur opprobriis.
<br>3.31 CAPH. Quia non repellet in sempiternum
Dominus.
<br>3.32 CAPH. Quia si afflixit, et miserebitur
secundum multitudinem misericordiarum suarum.
<br>3.33 CAPH. Non enim humiliat ex corde suo
et affligit filios hominum.
<br>3.34 LAMED. Conterere sub pedibus suis
omnes vinctos terrae.
<br>3.35 LAMED. Declinare iudicium viri
in conspectu vultus Altissimi.
<br>3.36 LAMED. Pervertere hominem in iudicio suo,
num Dominus haec ignorat?
<br>3.37 MEM. Quis est iste, qui dixit, et factum est?
Dominus non iussit?
<br>3.38 MEM. Ex ore Altissimi nonne egrediuntur
et mala et bona?
<br>3.39 MEM. Quid murmurabit homo vivens,
vir pro peccatis suis?
<br>3.40 NUN. Scrutemur vias nostras et quaeramus
et revertamur ad Dominum.
<br>3.41 NUN. Levemus corda nostra cum manibus
ad Dominum in caelos.
<br>3.42 NUN. Nos inique egimus et rebelles fuimus;
idcirco tu inexorabilis fuisti.
<br>3.43 SAMECH. Operuisti in furore et percussisti nos;
occidisti nec pepercisti.
<br>3.44 SAMECH. Opposuisti nubem tibi,
ne transeat oratio.
<br>3.45 SAMECH. In eradicationem et abiectionem posuisti nos
in medio populorum.
<br>3.46 PHE. Aperuerunt super nos os suum
omnes inimici nostri.
<br>3.47 PHE. Formido et fovea facta est nobis,
vastatio et contritio.
<br>3.48 PHE. Rivos aquarum deducit oculus meus
in contritione filiae populi mei.
<br>3.49 AIN. Oculus meus lacrimas effundit nec tacet,
eo quod non sit requies.
<br>3.50 AIN. Donec respiciat et videat
Dominus de caelis.
<br>3.51 AIN. Oculus meus affligit animam meam
prae cunctis filiabus urbis meae.
<br>3.52 SADE. Venatione venati sunt me quasi avem
inimici mei gratis.
<br>3.53 SADE. Perdiderunt in lacu vitam meam
et iecerunt lapides super me.
<br>3.54 SADE. Inundaverunt aquae super caput meum,
dixi: Perii.
<br>3.55 COPH. Invocavi nomen tuum, Domine,
de profunditate lacus.
<br>3.56 COPH. Vocem meam audisti: Ne avertas
aurem tuam a singultu meo et clamoribus.
<br>3.57 COPH. Appropinquasti in die, quando invocavi te,
dixisti: Ne timeas.
<br>3.58 RES. Iudicasti, Domine, causam animae meae,
redemisti vitam meam.
<br>3.59 RES. Vidisti, Domine, afflictionem meam;
iudica iudicium meum.
<br>3.60 RES. Vidisti omnem furorem eorum, universas cogitationes eorum adversum me.
<br>3.61 SIN. Audisti opprobrium eorum, Domine,
omnes cogitationes eorum adversum me.
<br>3.62 SIN. Labia insurgentium mihi et meditationes eorum
adversum me tota die.
<br>3.63 SIN. Sessionem eorum et resurrectionem eorum vide;
ego sum psalmus eorum.
<br>3.64 THAU. Reddes eis vicem, Domine,
iuxta opera manuum suarum.
<br>3.65 THAU. Dabis eis duritiam cordis,
exsecrationem tuam.
<br>3.66 THAU. Persequeris in furore et conteres eos
sub caelis tuis, Domine.
 
<big><b>4 </b> </big>
<br>4.1 ALEPH. Quomodo obscuratum est aurum,
mutatum est obryzum optimum!
Dispersi sunt lapides sancti
in capite omnium platearum.
<br>4.2 BETH. Filii Sion incliti
et ponderati auro primo,
quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea,
opus manuum figuli!
<br>4.3 GHIMEL. Sed et thoes nudaverunt mammam,
lactaverunt catulos suos;
filia populi mei crudelis
quasi struthio in deserto.
<br>4.4 DALETH. Adhaesit lingua lactantis
ad palatum eius in siti;
parvuli petierunt panem,
et non erat qui frangeret eis.
<br>4.5 HE. Qui vescebantur voluptuose,
interierunt in viis;
qui nutriebantur in coccinis,
amplexati sunt stercora.
<br>4.6 VAU. Et maior effecta est iniquitas filiae populi mei
peccato Sodomae,
quae subversa est in momento,
et non laborabant in ea manus.
<br>4.7 ZAIN. Candidiores nazaraei eius nive,
nitidiores lacte,
rubicundiores in corpore coralliis,
sapphirus aspectus eorum.
<br>4.8 HETH. Denigrata est super carbones facies eorum,
et non sunt cogniti in plateis:
adhaesit cutis eorum ossibus,
aruit et facta est quasi lignum.
<br>4.9 TETH. Melius fuit occisis gladio
quam interfectis fame,
quoniam isti extabuerunt consumpti
a sterilitate terrae.
<br>4.10 IOD. Manus mulierum misericordium
coxerunt filios suos:
facti sunt cibus earum
in contritione filiae populi mei.
<br>4.11 CAPH. Complevit Dominus furorem suum,
effudit iram indignationis suae;
et succendit ignem in Sion,
qui devoravit fundamenta eius.
<br>4.12 LAMED. Non crediderunt reges terrae
et universi habitatores orbis,
quoniam ingrederetur hostis et inimicus
per portas Ierusalem.
<br>4.13 MEM. Propter peccata prophetarum eius
et iniquitates sacerdotum eius,
qui effuderunt in medio eius
sanguinem iustorum.
<br>4.14 NUN. Erraverunt caeci in plateis,
polluti sunt in sanguine,
ita ut nemo posset attingere
lacinias eorum.
<br>4.15 SAMECH. Recedite! Pollutus est, clamaverunt eis;
Recedite, abite, nolite tangere!.
Cum fugerent et errarent, dixerunt inter gentes:
Non addent ultra ut incolant.
<br>4.16 PHE. Facies Domini dispersit eos,
non addet ut respiciat eos;
facies sacerdotum non respexerunt
neque senum miserti sunt.
<br>4.17 AIN. Adhuc deficiunt oculi nostri
ad auxilium nostrum vanum?
In specula nostra respeximus
ad gentem, quae salvare non potest.
<br>4.18 SADE. Insidiati sunt vestigiis nostris,
ne iremus per plateas nostras.
Appropinquavit finis noster, completi sunt dies nostri,
quia venit finis noster.
<br>4.19 COPH. Velociores fuerunt persecutores nostri
aquilis caeli;
super montes persecuti sunt nos,
in deserto insidiati sunt nobis.
<br>4.20 RES. Spiritus oris nostri, unctus Domini,
captus est in foveis eorum,
de quo dicebamus: Sub umbra sua
vivemus in gentibus.
<br>4.21 SIN. Gaude et laetare, filia Edom,
quae habitas in terra Us;
ad te quoque perveniet calix,
inebriaberis atque nudaberis.
<br>4.22 THAU. Completa est iniquitas tua, filia Sion,
non addet ultra ut transmigret te;
visitavit iniquitatem tuam, filia Edom,
discooperuit peccata tua.
 
<big><b>5 </b> </big>
<br>5.1 Recordare, Domine, quid acci derit nobis;
intuere et respice opprobrium nostrum.
<br>5.2 Hereditas nostra versa est ad alienos,
domus nostrae ad extraneos.
<br>5.3 Pupilli facti sumus absque patre,
matres nostrae quasi viduae.
4 Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus,
ligna nostra pretio comparamus.
<br>5.5 Iugum in cervicibus nostris minamur;
lassis non datur requies.
<br>5.6 Aegyptiis dedimus manum et Assyriis,
ut saturaremur pane.
<br>5.7 Patres nostri peccaverunt et non sunt,
et nos iniquitates eorum portamus.
<br>5.8 Servi dominantur nostri;
non est qui redimat de manu eorum.
<br>5.9 Vitae nostrae periculo afferimus panem nobis
a facie gladii in deserto.
<br>5.10 Pellis nostra quasi clibanus exusta est
propter aestum famis.
<br>5.11 Mulieres in Sion humiliaverunt
et virgines in civitatibus Iudae.
<br>5.12 Principes manu eorum suspensi sunt;
facies senum honorem non habuerunt.
<br>5.13 Adulescentes molam portaverunt,
et pueri sub lignis corruerunt.
<br>5.14 Senes deficiunt de portis,
iuvenes de choro psallentium.
<br>5.15 Defecit gaudium cordis nostri;
versus est in luctum chorus noster.
<br>5.16 Cecidit corona capitis nostri;
vae nobis, quia peccavimus!
<br>5.17 Propterea maestum factum est cor nostrum,
ideo contenebrati sunt oculi nostri,
<br>5.18 propter montem Sion, quia desolatus est:
vulpes ambulant in eo.
<br>5.19 Tu autem, Domine, in aeternum permanebis,
solium tuum in generationem et generationem.
<br>5.20 Quare in perpetuum oblivisceris nostri,
derelinques nos in longitudinem dierum?
<br>5.21 Converte nos, Domine, ad te, et convertemur;
innova dies nostros sicut a principio.
<br>5.22 Ergone proiciens reppulisti nos,
iratus es contra nos vehementer?


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'''<small>(from the [http://www.bibliacatolica.com.br/08/31/1.php Revised Standard Version])</small>'''


'''Chapter 1'''
{{Translation|English|
{{Vs|1:1}} ALEPH. How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the cities has become a vassal.
{{Vs|1:2}} BETH. She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.
{{Vs|1:3}} GHIMEL. Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.
{{Vs|1:4}} DALETH. The roads to Zion mourn, for none come to the appointed feasts; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her maidens have been dragged away, and she herself suffers bitterly.
{{Vs|1:5}} HE. Her foes have become the head, her enemies prosper, because the {{Lord}} has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe.
{{Vs|1:6}} VAU. From the daughter of Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like harts that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer.
{{Vs|1:7}} ZAIN. Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and bitterness all the precious things that were hers from days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, the foe gloated over her, mocking at her downfall.
{{Vs|1:8}} HETH. Jerusalem sinned grievously, therefore she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; yea, she herself groans, and turns her face away.
{{Vs|1:9}} Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her doom; therefore her fall is terrible, she has no comforter. "O {{Lord}}, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!"
{{Vs|1:10}} IOD. The enemy has stretched out his hands over all her precious things; yea, she has seen the nations invade her sanctuary, those whom thou didst forbid to enter thy congregation.
{{Vs|1:11}} CAPH. All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. "Look, O {{Lord}}, and behold, for I am despised."
{{Vs|1:12}} LAMED. "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, which the {{Lord}} inflicted on the day of his fierce anger."
{{Vs|1:13}} MEM. "From on high he sent fire; into my bones he made it descend; he spread a net for my feet; he turned me back;
he has left me stunned, faint all the day long.}}
</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">
{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 2'''
{{Vs|2:8}} HETH. Cogitavit Dominus dissipare murum filiæ Sion; tetendit funiculum suum, et non avertit manum suam a perditione: luxitque antemurale, et murus pariter dissipatus est.
{{Vs|2:9}} TETH. Defixæ sunt in terra portæ ejus, perdidit et contrivit vectes ejus; regem ejus et principes ejus in gentibus: non est lex, et prophetæ ejus non invenerunt visionem a Domino.
{{Vs|2:10}} IOD. Sederunt in terra, conticuerunt senes filiæ Sion; consperserunt cinere capita sua, accincti sunt ciliciis: abjecerunt in terram capita sua virgines Jerusalem.
{{Vs|2:11}} CAPH. Defecerunt præ lacrimis oculi mei, conturbata sunt viscera mea; effusum est in terra jecur meum super contritione filiæ populi mei, cum deficeret parvulus et lactens in plateis oppidi.
{{Vs|2:12}} LAMED. Matribus suis dixerunt: Ubi est triticum et vinum? cum deficerent quasi vulnerati in plateis civitatis, cum exhalarent animas suas in sinu matrum suarum.
{{Vs|2:13}} MEM. Cui comparabo te, vel cui assimilabo te, filia Jerusalem? cui exæquabo te, et consolabor te, virgo, filia Sion? magna est enim velut mare contritio tua: quis medebitur tui?
{{Vs|2:14}} NUN. Prophetæ tui viderunt tibi falsa et stulta; nec aperiebant iniquitatem tuam, ut te ad pœnitentiam provocarent; viderunt autem tibi assumptiones falsas, et ejectiones.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 2'''
{{Vs|2:8}} HETH. The {{Lord}} determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he marked it off by the line; he restrained not his hand from destroying; he caused rampart and wall to lament, they languish together.
{{Vs|2:9}} TETH. Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is no more, and her prophets obtain no vision from the {{Lord}}.
{{Vs|2:10}} IOD. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have cast dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; the maidens of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.
{{Vs|2:11}} CAPH. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because infants and babes faint in the streets of the city.
{{Vs|2:12}} LAMED. They cry to their mothers, "Where is bread and wine?" as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers' bosom.
{{Vs|2:13}} MEM. What can I say for you, to what compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can restore you?
{{Vs|2:14}} NUN. Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles false and misleading.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 3'''
{{Vs|3:1}} ALEPH. Ego vir videns paupertatem meam in virga indignationis ejus.
{{Vs|3:2}} ALEPH. Me minavit, et adduxit in tenebras, et non in lucem.
{{Vs|3:3}} ALEPH. Tantum in me vertit et convertit manum suam tota die.
{{Vs|3:4}} BETH. Vetustam fecit pellem meam et carnem meam; contrivit ossa mea.
{{Vs|3:22}} HETH. Misericordiæ Domini, quia non sumus consumpti; quia non defecerunt miserationes ejus.
{{Vs|3:23}} HETH. Novi diluculo, multa est fides tua.
{{Vs|3:24}} HETH. Pars mea Dominus, dixit anima mea; propterea exspectabo eum.
{{Vs|3:25}} TETH. Bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum, animæ quærenti illum.
{{Vs|3:26}} TETH. Bonum est præstolari cum silentio salutare Dei.
{{Vs|3:27}} TETH. Bonum est viro cum portaverit jugum ab adolescentia sua.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 3'''
{{Vs|3:1}} ALEPH. I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath;
{{Vs|3:2}} ALEPH. he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;
{{Vs|3:3}} ALEPH. surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.
{{Vs|3:4}} BETH. He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones;
{{Vs|3:22}} HETH. The steadfast love of the {{Lord}} never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
{{Vs|3:23}} HETH. they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
{{Vs|3:24}} HETH. "The {{Lord}} is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
{{Vs|3:25}} TETH. The {{Lord}} is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
{{Vs|3:26}} TETH. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the {{Lord}}.
{{Vs|3:27}} TETH. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.}}
</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">
{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 4'''
{{Vs|4:1}} ALEPH. Quomodo obscuratum est aurum, mutatus est color optimus! dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum!
{{Vs|4:2}} BETH. Filii Sion inclyti, et amicti auro primo: quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea, opus manuum figuli!
{{Vs|4:3}} GHIMEL. Sed et lamiæ nudaverunt mammam, lactaverunt catulos suos: filia populi mei crudelis quasi struthio in deserto.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 4'''
{{Vs|4:1}} ALEPH. How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street.
{{Vs|4:2}} BETH. The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hands!
{{Vs|4:3}} GHIMEL. Even the jackals give the breast and suckle their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 5'''
{{Vs|5:1}} Recordare, Domine, quid acciderit nobis; intuere et respice opprobrium nostrum.
{{Vs|5:2}} Hæreditas nostra versa est ad alienos, domus nostræ ad extraneos.
{{Vs|5:3}} Pupilli facti sumus absque patre, matres nostræ quasi viduæ.
{{Vs|5:4}} Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus; ligna nostra pretio comparavimus.
{{Vs|5:5}} Cervicibus nostris minabamur, lassis non dabatur requies.}}
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{{Text|Simple|
'''Chapter 5'''
{{Vs|5:1}} Remember, O {{Lord}}, what has befallen us; behold, and see our disgrace!
{{Vs|5:2}} Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to aliens.
{{Vs|5:3}} We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.
{{Vs|5:4}} We must pay for the water we drink, the wood we get must be bought.
{{Vs|5:5}} With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven; we are weary, we are given no rest.}}
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{{Translation|Korean|
{{Vs|1:1}}아, 슬프다. 예전에는 사람들로 그렇게 붐비더니, 이제는 이 도성이 어찌 이리 적막한가! 예전에는 뭇 나라 가운데 으뜸이더니 이제는 과부의 신세가 되고, 예전에는 모든 나라 가운데 여왕이더니 이제는 종의 신세가 되었구나.
{{Vs|1:2}}이 도성이 여인처럼 밤새도록 서러워 통곡하니, 뺨에 눈물이 마를 날 없고, 예전에 이 여인을 사랑하던 남자 가운데 그를 위로하여 주는 남자가 하나도 없으니, 친구는 모두 그를 배반하여 원수가 되었는가!
{{Vs|1:3}}유다가 고통과 고된 노역에 시달리더니, 이제는 사로잡혀 뭇 나라에 흩어져서 쉴 곳을 찾지 못하는데, 뒤쫓는 모든 자들이 막다른 골목에서 그를 덮쳐 잡는구나.
{{Vs|1:4}}시온으로 가는 길이 이렇게 쓸쓸하다니! 명절이 되었는데도 순례자가 없고, 시온 성으로 들어가는 모든 문에도 인적이 끊어지니, 제사장들은 탄식하고, 처녀들은 슬픔에 잠겼구나. 시온이 이렇게 괴로움을 겪는구나.
{{Vs|1:5}}대적들이 우두머리가 되고, 원수들이 번영한다. 허물이 많다고, 주께서 그에게 고통을 주셨다. 아이들마저 원수들이 보는 앞에서 사로잡혀 끌려갔다.}}
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{{Translation|Dutch|
{{Vs|1:1}} ALEPH. Ach, hoe eenzaam zit zij neer, de stad vol mensen! Als een weduwe is ze geworden, de heerseres van de volken. De vorstin van de gewesten is schatplichtig geworden
{{Vs|1:2}} BETH. Onophoudelijk heeft zij ’s nachts geweend, en tranen stroomden over haar wangen: er is niemand die haar troost van al haar geliefden; al haar vrienden hebben haar afgewezen, en zij zijn vijanden geworden.
{{Vs|1:3}} GHIMEL. (de stam van) Juda is weggetrokken vanwege de ellende en de vele slavenarbeid. Zij heeft gewoond tussen de heidenvolken, maar heeft geen rust gevonden. Haar belagers hebben haar in het nauw gedreven.
{{Vs|1:4}} DALETH. De wegen naar Jeruzalem zijn troosteloos, want er is niemand meer, die naar de tempelfeesten komt. Al haar poorten zijn verwoest haar priesters weeklagen, haar meisjes rouwen, en zijzelf gaat gebukt onder bitterheid
{{Vs|1:8}} HETH. Jeruzalem heeft zwaar gezondigd, daarom is ze wankel geworden: allen, die haar verheerlijkt hebben, verachten haar omdat zij haar eerloosheid gezien hebben: zij daarentegen zucht en keert zich af.
{{Vs|1:9}} TETH. Vuil kleeft aan haar voeten: toch denkt zij niet aan haar einde. Reddeloos verloren is zij, er is niemand meer die haar troost.
Zie, Heer, mijn ellende, want de vijand is opgestaan.
{{Vs|1:10}} IOD. De tegenstander heeft de hand geslagen aan al haar kostbaarheden: want zij ziet de heidenvolken binnendringen in haar heiligdom, aan wie u verboden had in uw tempel te komen.
{{Vs|1:11}} CAPH. Haar hele volk zucht en is op zoek naar brood; het heeft al zijn kostbaarheden geruild voor voedsel om weer op krachten te komen. Kijk, o Heer, en zie hoe armzalig ik geworden ben!
{{Vs|1:12}} LAMED. O, gij allen die voorbijgaat over de weg, sta even stil en zie of er leed is vergelijkbaar met het leed, dat mij overkomen is, dat de Heer over mij heeft uitgesproken op de dag van zijn brandende toorn.
{{Vs|1:13}} MEM. Vanuit de hoogte heeft hij een vuur in mijn beenderen gezonden en mij onderricht: hij heeft een valstrik gespannen voor mijn voeten, hij doet mij terugdeinzen: hij heeft mij eenzaam achtergelaten en hele dagen neerslachtig laten wegkwijnen.


Jeruzalem, keer terug tot de Heer uw God.
}}
{{Translator|Anton Hendriks, Ben Terstegge & Hanneke Pot}}
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</table>


[[Category:Text pages]]

Revision as of 14:36, 10 May 2018

Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem, by Rembrandt

Lamentationes Ieremiae (English Lamentations of Jeremiah)

In the Greek and Latin Bibles there are five songs of lament bearing the name of Jeremiah, which follow the Book of the Prophecy of Jeremias. In the Hebrew these are entitled Kinôth. from their elegiac character, or the 'Ekhah songs after the first word of the first, second, and fourth elegies; in Greek they are called Threnoi, in Latin they are known as Lamentationes. The superscription to Lamentations in the Septuagint and other versions throws light on the historical occasion of their production and on the author: "And it came to pass, after Israel was carried into captivity, and Jerusalem was desolate, that Jeremiah the prophet sat weeping, and mourned with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and with a sorrowful mind, sighing and moaning, he said:".

To a man like Jeremiah, the day on which Jerusalem became a heap of ruins was not only a day of national misfortune, for, in a religious sense, Jerusalem had a peculiar importance in the history of salvation, as the footstool of Jahweh and as the scene of the revelation of God and of the Messias. Consequently, the grief of Jeremiah was personal, not merely a sympathetic emotion over the sorrow of others, for he had sought to prevent the disaster by his labours as a prophet in the streets of the city. All the fibres of his heart were bound up with Jerusalem; he was now himself crushed and desolate.

In all five elegies the construction of the verses follows an alphabetical arrangement. The first, second, fourth, and fifth laments are each composed of twenty-two verses, to correspond with the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the third lament is made up of three times twenty-two verses. In the first, second, and fourth elegies each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the letters following in order, as the first verse begins with ALEPH, the second with BETH etc.

The Lamentations have received a peculiar distinction in the Liturgy of the Church in the Office of Passion Week. If Christ Himself designated His death as the destruction of a temple, "he spoke of the temple of his body" (John 2:19-21), then the Church surely has a right to pour out her grief over His death in those Lamentations which were sung over the ruins of the temple destroyed by the sins of the nation.

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External links

Text and translations

Different authors have set to music different Vss. The particular Vss of one musical settings are mentioned in the author's page and in the music's page. Often the setting starts with the words Incipit lamentatio Ieremiae prophetae (if the Vss are the first ones of one lamentation) or De lamentatione Ieremiae prophetae (if the Vss are not at the beginning of one lamentation). The settings always end with the words Ierusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum ("Jerusalem, return to the Lord thy God").

(from the Clementine Vulgate)

Chapter 1

Latin.png Latin text

1:1  ALEPH. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! Facta est quasi vidua domina gentium; princeps provinciarum facta est sub tributo.
1:2  BETH. Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrimæ ejus in maxillis ejus: non est qui consoletur eam, ex omnibus caris ejus; omnes amici ejus spreverunt eam, et facti sunt ei inimici.
1:3  GHIMEL. Migravit Judas propter afflictionem, et multitudinem servitutis; habitavit inter gentes, nec invenit requiem: omnes persecutores ejus apprehenderunt eam inter angustias.
1:4  DALETH. Viæ Sion lugent, eo quod non sint qui veniant ad solemnitatem: omnes portæ ejus destructæ, sacerdotes ejus gementes; virgines ejus squalidæ, et ipsa oppressa amaritudine.
1:5  HE. Facti sunt hostes ejus in capite; inimici ejus locupletati sunt: quia Dominus locutus est super eam propter multitudinem iniquitatum ejus. Parvuli ejus ducti sunt in captivitatem ante faciem tribulantis.
1:6  VAU. Et egressus est a filia Sion omnis decor ejus; facti sunt principes ejus velut arietes non invenientes pascua, et abierunt absque fortitudine ante faciem subsequentis.
1:7  ZAIN. Recordata est Jerusalem dierum afflictionis suæ, et prævaricationis, omnium desiderabilium suorum, quæ habuerat a diebus antiquis, cum caderet populus ejus in manu hostili, et non esset auxiliator: viderunt eam hostes, et deriserunt sabbata ejus.
1:8  HETH. Peccatum peccavit Hierusalem, propterea instabilis facta est: omnes qui glorificabant eam spreverunt illam: quia viderunt ignominiam eius: ipsa autem gemens et conversa retrorsum.
1:9  TETH. Sordes eius in pedibus eius: nec recordata est finis sui. Deposita est vehementer: non habens consolatorem. Vide Domine afflictionem meam: quoniam erectus est inimicus.
1:10  IOD. Manum suam misit hostis ad omnia desiderabilia ejus, quia vidit gentes ingressas sanctuarium suum, de quibus præceperas ne intrarent in ecclesiam tuam.
1:11  CAPH. Omnis populus ejus gemens, et quærens panem; dederunt pretiosa quæque pro cibo ad refocillandam animam. Vide, Domine, et considera quoniam facta sum vilis!
1:12  LAMED. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite, et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus! quoniam vindemiavit me, ut locutus est Dominus, in die iræ furoris sui.
1:13  MEM. De excelso misit ignem in ossibus meis et erudivit me: expandit rete pedibus meis: convertit me retrorsum: posuit me desolatam tota die maerore confectam.

(from the Revised Standard Version)

Chapter 1

English.png English translation

1:1  ALEPH. How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the cities has become a vassal.
1:2  BETH. She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.
1:3  GHIMEL. Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.
1:4  DALETH. The roads to Zion mourn, for none come to the appointed feasts; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her maidens have been dragged away, and she herself suffers bitterly.
1:5  HE. Her foes have become the head, her enemies prosper, because the Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe.
1:6  VAU. From the daughter of Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like harts that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer.
1:7  ZAIN. Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and bitterness all the precious things that were hers from days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, the foe gloated over her, mocking at her downfall.
1:8  HETH. Jerusalem sinned grievously, therefore she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; yea, she herself groans, and turns her face away.
1:9  Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her doom; therefore her fall is terrible, she has no comforter. "O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!"
1:10  IOD. The enemy has stretched out his hands over all her precious things; yea, she has seen the nations invade her sanctuary, those whom thou didst forbid to enter thy congregation.
1:11  CAPH. All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. "Look, O Lord, and behold, for I am despised."
1:12  LAMED. "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger."
1:13  MEM. "From on high he sent fire; into my bones he made it descend; he spread a net for my feet; he turned me back;
he has left me stunned, faint all the day long.

 

Chapter 2
2:8  HETH. Cogitavit Dominus dissipare murum filiæ Sion; tetendit funiculum suum, et non avertit manum suam a perditione: luxitque antemurale, et murus pariter dissipatus est.
2:9  TETH. Defixæ sunt in terra portæ ejus, perdidit et contrivit vectes ejus; regem ejus et principes ejus in gentibus: non est lex, et prophetæ ejus non invenerunt visionem a Domino.
2:10  IOD. Sederunt in terra, conticuerunt senes filiæ Sion; consperserunt cinere capita sua, accincti sunt ciliciis: abjecerunt in terram capita sua virgines Jerusalem.
2:11  CAPH. Defecerunt præ lacrimis oculi mei, conturbata sunt viscera mea; effusum est in terra jecur meum super contritione filiæ populi mei, cum deficeret parvulus et lactens in plateis oppidi.
2:12  LAMED. Matribus suis dixerunt: Ubi est triticum et vinum? cum deficerent quasi vulnerati in plateis civitatis, cum exhalarent animas suas in sinu matrum suarum.
2:13  MEM. Cui comparabo te, vel cui assimilabo te, filia Jerusalem? cui exæquabo te, et consolabor te, virgo, filia Sion? magna est enim velut mare contritio tua: quis medebitur tui?
2:14  NUN. Prophetæ tui viderunt tibi falsa et stulta; nec aperiebant iniquitatem tuam, ut te ad pœnitentiam provocarent; viderunt autem tibi assumptiones falsas, et ejectiones.

 

Chapter 2
2:8  HETH. The Lord determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he marked it off by the line; he restrained not his hand from destroying; he caused rampart and wall to lament, they languish together.
2:9  TETH. Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is no more, and her prophets obtain no vision from the Lord.
2:10  IOD. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have cast dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; the maidens of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.
2:11  CAPH. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because infants and babes faint in the streets of the city.
2:12  LAMED. They cry to their mothers, "Where is bread and wine?" as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers' bosom.
2:13  MEM. What can I say for you, to what compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can restore you?
2:14  NUN. Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles false and misleading.

 

Chapter 3
3:1  ALEPH. Ego vir videns paupertatem meam in virga indignationis ejus.
3:2  ALEPH. Me minavit, et adduxit in tenebras, et non in lucem.
3:3  ALEPH. Tantum in me vertit et convertit manum suam tota die.
3:4  BETH. Vetustam fecit pellem meam et carnem meam; contrivit ossa mea.
3:22  HETH. Misericordiæ Domini, quia non sumus consumpti; quia non defecerunt miserationes ejus.
3:23  HETH. Novi diluculo, multa est fides tua.
3:24  HETH. Pars mea Dominus, dixit anima mea; propterea exspectabo eum.
3:25  TETH. Bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum, animæ quærenti illum.
3:26  TETH. Bonum est præstolari cum silentio salutare Dei.
3:27  TETH. Bonum est viro cum portaverit jugum ab adolescentia sua.

 

Chapter 3
3:1  ALEPH. I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath;
3:2  ALEPH. he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;
3:3  ALEPH. surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.
3:4  BETH. He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones;
3:22  HETH. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
3:23  HETH. they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
3:24  HETH. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
3:25  TETH. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
3:26  TETH. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
3:27  TETH. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

 

Chapter 4
4:1  ALEPH. Quomodo obscuratum est aurum, mutatus est color optimus! dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum!
4:2  BETH. Filii Sion inclyti, et amicti auro primo: quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea, opus manuum figuli!
4:3  GHIMEL. Sed et lamiæ nudaverunt mammam, lactaverunt catulos suos: filia populi mei crudelis quasi struthio in deserto.

 

Chapter 4
4:1  ALEPH. How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street.
4:2  BETH. The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hands!
4:3  GHIMEL. Even the jackals give the breast and suckle their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

 

Chapter 5
5:1  Recordare, Domine, quid acciderit nobis; intuere et respice opprobrium nostrum.
5:2  Hæreditas nostra versa est ad alienos, domus nostræ ad extraneos.
5:3  Pupilli facti sumus absque patre, matres nostræ quasi viduæ.
5:4  Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus; ligna nostra pretio comparavimus.
5:5  Cervicibus nostris minabamur, lassis non dabatur requies.

 

Chapter 5
5:1  Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us; behold, and see our disgrace!
5:2  Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to aliens.
5:3  We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.
5:4  We must pay for the water we drink, the wood we get must be bought.
5:5  With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven; we are weary, we are given no rest.

Korean.png Korean translation

1:1 아, 슬프다. 예전에는 사람들로 그렇게 붐비더니, 이제는 이 도성이 어찌 이리 적막한가! 예전에는 뭇 나라 가운데 으뜸이더니 이제는 과부의 신세가 되고, 예전에는 모든 나라 가운데 여왕이더니 이제는 종의 신세가 되었구나.
1:2 이 도성이 여인처럼 밤새도록 서러워 통곡하니, 뺨에 눈물이 마를 날 없고, 예전에 이 여인을 사랑하던 남자 가운데 그를 위로하여 주는 남자가 하나도 없으니, 친구는 모두 그를 배반하여 원수가 되었는가!
1:3 유다가 고통과 고된 노역에 시달리더니, 이제는 사로잡혀 뭇 나라에 흩어져서 쉴 곳을 찾지 못하는데, 뒤쫓는 모든 자들이 막다른 골목에서 그를 덮쳐 잡는구나.
1:4 시온으로 가는 길이 이렇게 쓸쓸하다니! 명절이 되었는데도 순례자가 없고, 시온 성으로 들어가는 모든 문에도 인적이 끊어지니, 제사장들은 탄식하고, 처녀들은 슬픔에 잠겼구나. 시온이 이렇게 괴로움을 겪는구나.
1:5 대적들이 우두머리가 되고, 원수들이 번영한다. 허물이 많다고, 주께서 그에게 고통을 주셨다. 아이들마저 원수들이 보는 앞에서 사로잡혀 끌려갔다.

Dutch.png Dutch translation

1:1  ALEPH. Ach, hoe eenzaam zit zij neer, de stad vol mensen! Als een weduwe is ze geworden, de heerseres van de volken. De vorstin van de gewesten is schatplichtig geworden
1:2  BETH. Onophoudelijk heeft zij ’s nachts geweend, en tranen stroomden over haar wangen: er is niemand die haar troost van al haar geliefden; al haar vrienden hebben haar afgewezen, en zij zijn vijanden geworden.
1:3  GHIMEL. (de stam van) Juda is weggetrokken vanwege de ellende en de vele slavenarbeid. Zij heeft gewoond tussen de heidenvolken, maar heeft geen rust gevonden. Haar belagers hebben haar in het nauw gedreven.
1:4  DALETH. De wegen naar Jeruzalem zijn troosteloos, want er is niemand meer, die naar de tempelfeesten komt. Al haar poorten zijn verwoest haar priesters weeklagen, haar meisjes rouwen, en zijzelf gaat gebukt onder bitterheid
1:8  HETH. Jeruzalem heeft zwaar gezondigd, daarom is ze wankel geworden: allen, die haar verheerlijkt hebben, verachten haar omdat zij haar eerloosheid gezien hebben: zij daarentegen zucht en keert zich af.
1:9  TETH. Vuil kleeft aan haar voeten: toch denkt zij niet aan haar einde. Reddeloos verloren is zij, er is niemand meer die haar troost.
Zie, Heer, mijn ellende, want de vijand is opgestaan.
1:10  IOD. De tegenstander heeft de hand geslagen aan al haar kostbaarheden: want zij ziet de heidenvolken binnendringen in haar heiligdom, aan wie u verboden had in uw tempel te komen.
1:11  CAPH. Haar hele volk zucht en is op zoek naar brood; het heeft al zijn kostbaarheden geruild voor voedsel om weer op krachten te komen. Kijk, o Heer, en zie hoe armzalig ik geworden ben!
1:12  LAMED. O, gij allen die voorbijgaat over de weg, sta even stil en zie of er leed is vergelijkbaar met het leed, dat mij overkomen is, dat de Heer over mij heeft uitgesproken op de dag van zijn brandende toorn.
1:13  MEM. Vanuit de hoogte heeft hij een vuur in mijn beenderen gezonden en mij onderricht: hij heeft een valstrik gespannen voor mijn voeten, hij doet mij terugdeinzen: hij heeft mij eenzaam achtergelaten en hele dagen neerslachtig laten wegkwijnen.

Jeruzalem, keer terug tot de Heer uw God.
 

Translation by Anton Hendriks, Ben Terstegge & Hanneke Pot