Lamentations 4:1

AMP: How dark and dim the gold has become,How the pure gold has changed!The sacred stones [of the temple] are poured out and scatteredAt the head of every street.

ASV: How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.

BSB: How the gold has become tarnished,the pure gold has become dull!The gems of the temple lie scatteredon every street corner.

DARBY: How is the gold become dim! the most pure gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary poured out at the top of all the streets!

DRA: Aleph. How is the gold become dim, the finest colour is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street?

KJV: How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

Lamentations 4:2

AMP: The [noble and] precious sons of Zion,[Once] worth their weight in fine gold,How they are regarded [merely] as earthen jars,The work of a potter’s hands! [Is 30:14; Jer 19:11; 2 Cor 4:7]

ASV: The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

BSB: How the precious sons of Zion,once worth their weight in pure gold,are now esteemed as jars of clay,the work of a potter’s hands!

DARBY: The sons of Zion, so precious, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

DRA: Beth. The noble sons of Sion, and they that were clothed with the best gold: how are they esteemed as earthen vessels, the work of the potter's hands?

KJV: The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Lamentations 4:3

AMP: Even the jackals offer the breast,They nurse their young;But the daughter of my people has become cruelLike ostriches in the wilderness [that desert their young].

ASV: Even the jackals draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: The daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

BSB: Even jackals offer their breaststo nurse their young,but the daughter of my people has become cruel,like an ostrich in the wilderness.

DARBY: Even the jackals offer the breast, they give suck to their young; the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

DRA: Ghimel. Even the sea monsters have drawn out the breast, they have given suck to their young: the daughter of my people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert.

KJV: Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Lamentations 4:4

AMP: The tongue of the infant clingsTo the roof of its mouth because of thirst;The little ones ask for food,But no one gives it to them.

ASV: The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

BSB: The nursing infant’s tongueclings in thirst to the roof of his mouth.Little children beg for bread,but no one gives them any.

DARBY: The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the young children ask bread, no man breaketh it unto them.

DRA: Daleth. The tongue of the sucking child hath stuck to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the little ones have asked for bread, and there was none to break it unto them.

KJV: The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

Lamentations 4:5

AMP: Those who feasted on delicaciesAre perishing in the streets;Those reared in purple [as nobles]Embrace ash heaps.

ASV: They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: They that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

BSB: Those who once ate delicaciesare destitute in the streets;those brought up in crimsonhuddle in ash heaps.

DARBY: They that fed delicately are desolate in the streets; they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dung-hills.

DRA: He. They that were fed delicately have died in the streets; they that were brought up in scarlet have embraced the dung.

KJV: They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Lamentations 4:6

AMP: For the [punishment of the] wickedness of the daughter of my people [Jerusalem]Is greater than the [punishment for the] sin of Sodom,Which was overthrown in a moment,And no hands were turned toward her [to offer help]. [Gen 19:25]

ASV: For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, That was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were laid upon her.

BSB: The punishment of the daughter of my peopleis greater than that of Sodom,which was overthrown in an instantwithout a hand turned to help her.

DARBY: And the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the reward of the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were violently laid upon her.

DRA: Vau. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and hands took nothing in her.

KJV: For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Lamentations 4:7

AMP: Her princes were purer than snow,They were whiter than milk [in appearance];They were more ruddy in body than rubies,Their polishing was like lapis lazuli (sapphire).

ASV: Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire.

BSB: Her dignitaries were brighter than snow,whiter than milk;their bodies were more ruddy than rubies,their appearance like sapphires.

DARBY: Her Nazarites were purer than snow, whiter than milk; they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their figure was as sapphire.

DRA: Zain. Her Nazarites were whiter than snow, purer than milk, more ruddy than the old ivory, fairer than the sapphire.

KJV: Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

Lamentations 4:8

AMP: Their appearance is [now] blacker than soot [because of the prolonged famine];They are not recognized in the streets;Their skin clings to their bones;It is withered, and it has become [dry] like wood.

ASV: Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: Their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

BSB: But now their appearance is blacker than soot;they are not recognized in the streets.Their skin has shriveled on their bones;it has become as dry as a stick.

DARBY: Their visage is darker than blackness, they are not known in the streets; their skin cleaveth to their bones, it is withered, it is become like a stick.

DRA: Heth. Their face is now made blacker than coals, and they are not known in the streets: their skin hath stuck to their bones, it is withered, and is become like wood.

KJV: Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

Lamentations 4:9

AMP: Those killed with the swordAre more fortunate than those killed with hunger;For the hungry pine and ebb away,For the lack of the fruits of the field.

ASV: They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.

BSB: Those slain by the sword are better offthan those who die of hunger,who waste away, pierced with painbecause the fields lack produce.

DARBY: The slain with the sword are happier than the slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

DRA: Teth. It was better with them that were slain by the sword, than with them that died with hunger: for these pined away being consumed for want of the fruits of the earth.

KJV: They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

Lamentations 4:10

AMP: The hands of compassionate womenBoiled their own children;They became food for themBecause of the destruction of the daughter of my people [Judah].

ASV: The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children; They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

BSB: The hands of compassionate womenhave cooked their own children,who became their foodin the destruction of the daughter of my people.

DARBY: The hands of pitiful women have boiled their own children: they were their meat in the ruin of the daughter of my people.

DRA: Jod. The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

KJV: The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Lamentations 4:11

AMP: The Lord has fulfilled His wrath;He has poured out His fierce angerAnd has kindled a fire in ZionThat has consumed her foundations.

ASV: Jehovah hath accomplished his wrath, he hath poured out his fierce anger; And he hath kindled a fire in Zion, which hath devoured the foundations thereof.

BSB: The LORD has exhausted His wrath;He has poured out His fierce anger;He has kindled a fire in Zion,and it has consumed her foundations.

DARBY: Jehovah hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, which hath consumed the foundations thereof.

DRA: Caph. The Lord hath accomplished his wrath, he hath poured out his fierce anger: and he hath kindled a fire in Sion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

KJV: The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

Lamentations 4:12

AMP: The kings of the earth did not believe,Nor did any of the inhabitants of the earth,That the adversary (oppressor) and enemyCould enter the gates of Jerusalem.

ASV: The kings of the earth believed not, neither all the inhabitants of the world, That the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem.

BSB: The kings of the earth did not believe,nor any people of the world,that an enemy or a foecould enter the gates of Jerusalem.

DARBY: The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should enter into the gates of Jerusalem.

DRA: Lamed. The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world would not have believed, that the adversary and the enemy should enter in by the gates of Jerusalem.

KJV: The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

Lamentations 4:13

AMP: Because of the sins of her [counterfeit] prophetsAnd the wickedness of her [unfaithful] priests,Who have shed in her midstThe blood of the just and righteous;

ASV: [It is] because of the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.

BSB: But this was for the sins of her prophetsand the guilt of her priests,who shed the blood of the righteousin her midst.

DARBY: [It is] for the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, who have shed the blood of the righteous in the midst of her.

DRA: Mem. For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.

KJV: For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

Lamentations 4:14

AMP: They wandered, blind, in the streets;They were defiled with bloodSo that no one could touch their garments.

ASV: They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, So that men cannot touch their garments.

BSB: They wandered blind in the streets,defiled by this blood,so that no one daredto touch their garments.

DARBY: They wandered about blind in the streets; they were polluted with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.

DRA: Nun. They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they were defiled with blood: and when they could not help walking in it, they held up their skirts.

KJV: They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.

Lamentations 4:15

AMP: People cried to them, “Go away! Unclean!Depart! Depart! Do not touch!”So they fled, then they wandered [as fugitives];People among the nations said,“They shall not stay here any longer with us.”

ASV: Depart ye, they cried unto them, Unclean! depart, depart, touch not! When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, They shall no more sojourn [here].

BSB: “Go away! Unclean!”men shouted at them.“Away, away! Do not touch us!”So they fled and wandered.Among the nations it was said,“They can stay here no longer.”

DARBY: They cried unto them, Depart! Unclean! Depart! depart, touch not! When they fled away, and wandered about, it was said among the nations, They shall no more sojourn [there].

DRA: Samech. Depart you that are defiled, they cried out to them: Depart, get ye hence, touch not: for they quarrelled, and being removed, they said among the Gentiles: He will no more dwell among them.

KJV: They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.

Lamentations 4:16

AMP: The presence of the Lord scattered them [among the nations];He will not continue to look after them.They did not honor the priests;They did not favor the elders.

ASV: The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard them: They respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.

BSB: The presence of the LORD has scattered them;He regards them no more.The priests are shown no honor;the elders find no favor.

DARBY: The face of Jehovah hath divided them; he will no more regard them. They respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the aged.

DRA: Phe. The face of the Lord hath divided them, he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, neither had they pity on the ancient.

KJV: The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.

Lamentations 4:17

AMP: [And as for us,] yet our eyes failed,Looking in vain for help.Watching [from the towers] we watchedFor a nation that could not save. [Ezek 29:16]

ASV: Our eyes do yet fail [in looking] for our vain help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.

BSB: All the while our eyes were failingas we looked in vain for help.We watched from our towersfor a nation that could not save us.

DARBY: Our eyes still failed for our vain help; in our watching, we have watched for a nation that did not save.

DRA: Ain. While we were yet standing, our eyes failed, expecting help for us in vain, when we looked attentively towards a nation that was not able to save.

KJV: As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

Lamentations 4:18

AMP: The enemy hunted our steps,So that we could not walk in our streets;Our end drew near,Our days were finishedFor our end had come.

ASV: They hunt our steps, so that we cannot go in our streets: Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

BSB: They stalked our every step,so that we could not walk in our streets.Our end drew near, our time ran out,for our end had come!

DARBY: They hunted our steps, that we could not go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

DRA: Sade. Our steps have slipped in the way of our streets, our end draweth near: our days are fulfilled, for our end is come.

KJV: They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

Lamentations 4:19

AMP: Our pursuers were swifterThan the eagles of the sky;They pursued us on the mountains,They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.

ASV: Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens: They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

BSB: Those who chased us were swifterthan the eagles in the sky;they pursued us over the mountainsand ambushed us in the wilderness.

DARBY: Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens; they chased us hotly upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

DRA: Coph. Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the air: they pursued us upon the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.

KJV: Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

Lamentations 4:20

AMP: The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord [our king],Was captured in their snares,He of whom we had said, “Under his shadowWe shall live among the nations.”

ASV: The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.

BSB: The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life,was captured in their pits.We had said of him,“Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”

DARBY: The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.

DRA: Res. The breath of our mouth, Christ the Lord, is taken in our sins: to whom we said: Under thy shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.

KJV: The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

Lamentations 4:21

AMP: Rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom,Who lives in the land of Uz.But the cup [of the wine of God’s wrath] will pass to you as well;You will become drunk and make yourself naked. [Jer 25:17]

ASV: Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz: The cup shall pass through unto thee also; thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

BSB: So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom,you who dwell in the land of Uz.Yet the cup will pass to you as well;you will get drunk and expose yourself.

DARBY: Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz: the cup shall pass also unto thee; thou shalt be drunken, and make thyself naked.

DRA: Sin. Rejoice, and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Hus: to thee also shall the cup come, thou shalt be made drunk, and naked.

KJV: Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

Lamentations 4:22

AMP: The punishment of your sin has been completed, O Daughter of Zion;The Lord will no longer send you into exile.But He will punish your sin, O Daughter of Edom;He will expose your sins. [Ps 137:7]

ASV: The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will uncover thy sins.

BSB: O Daughter of Zion, your punishment is complete;He will not prolong your exile.But He will punish your iniquity, O Daughter of Edom;He will expose your sins.

DARBY: The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity. He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

DRA: Thau. Thy iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Sion, he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he visited thy iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he hath discovered thy sins. The Prayer of Jeremias the Prophet.

KJV: The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

Lamentations 4

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