ב (Bet)
2:2 The Lord 1 destroyed 2 mercilessly 3
all the homes of Jacob’s descendants. 4
In his anger he tore down
the fortified cities 5 of Daughter Judah.
He knocked to the ground and humiliated
the kingdom and its rulers. 6
ג (Gimel)
2:3 In fierce anger 7 he destroyed 8
the whole army 9 of Israel.
He withdrew his right hand 10
as the enemy attacked. 11
He was like a raging fire in the land of Jacob; 12
it consumed everything around it. 13
ד (Dalet)
2:4 He prepared his bow 14 like an enemy;
his right hand was ready to shoot. 15
Like a foe he killed everyone,
even our strong young men; 16
he has poured out his anger like fire
on the tent 17 of Daughter Zion.
ה (He)
2:5 The Lord, 18 like an enemy,
destroyed 19 Israel.
He destroyed 20 all her palaces;
he ruined her 21 fortified cities.
He made everyone in Daughter Judah
mourn and lament. 22
ו (Vav)
2:6 He destroyed his temple 23 as if it were a vineyard; 24
he destroyed his appointed meeting place.
The Lord has made those in Zion forget
both the festivals and the Sabbaths. 25
In his fierce anger 26 he has spurned 27
both king and priest.
ז (Zayin)
2:7 The Lord 28 rejected 29 his altar
and abhorred his temple. 30
He handed over to the enemy 31
her palace walls;
the enemy 32 shouted 33 in the Lord’s temple
as if it were a feast day. 34
ח (Khet)
2:8 The Lord was determined to tear down
Daughter Zion’s wall.
He prepared to knock it down; 35
he did not withdraw his hand from destroying. 36
He made the ramparts and fortified walls lament;
together they mourned their ruin. 37