19 “I called for my lovers,
But they deceived me;
My priests and my elders
Breathed their last in the city,
While they sought food
To restore their life.

20 “See, O Lord, that I am in distress;
My (A)soul[a] is troubled;
My heart is overturned within me,
For I have been very rebellious.
(B)Outside the sword bereaves,
At home it is like death.

21 “They have heard that I sigh,
But no one comforts me.
All my enemies have heard of my trouble;
They are (C)glad that You have done it.
Bring on (D)the day You have [b]announced,
That they may become like me.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 1:20 Lit. inward parts
  2. Lamentations 1:21 proclaimed

19 “I called to my allies(A)
    but they betrayed me.
My priests and my elders
    perished(B) in the city
while they searched for food
    to keep themselves alive.

20 “See, Lord, how distressed(C) I am!
    I am in torment(D) within,
and in my heart I am disturbed,(E)
    for I have been most rebellious.(F)
Outside, the sword bereaves;
    inside, there is only death.(G)

21 “People have heard my groaning,(H)
    but there is no one to comfort me.(I)
All my enemies have heard of my distress;
    they rejoice(J) at what you have done.
May you bring the day(K) you have announced
    so they may become like me.

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