|
|
| [1]O howe is the golde become so dimme? howe is the most fine golde so sore chaunged? and the stones of the sanctuarie thus scattered in the corner of euery streete |
[1]ALEPH. How will the gold be tarnished, and the fine silver changed! the sacred stones have been poured forth at the top of all the streets. |
| [2]The chyldren of Sion that were alway in honour, and clothed with the most precious golde: howe are they nowe become lyke the earthen vessels, whiche be made with the potters hande |
[2]BETH. The precious sons of Zion, who were equalled in value with gold, how are they counted as earthen vessels, the works of the hands of the potter! |
| [3]The dragons geue their young ones sucke with bare brestes: but the daughter of my people is cruel, like the Estriches in the wildernesse |
[3]GIMEL. Nay, serpents have drawn out the breasts, they give suck to their young, the daughters of my people are incurably cruel, as an ostrich in a desert. |
| [4]The tongues of the sucking chyldren cleaue to the roofe of their mouthes for very thyrst: the young chyldren aske bread, but there is no man that geueth it them |
[4]DALETH. The tongue of the sucking child cleaves to the roof of its mouth for thirst: the little children ask for bread, and there is none to break it to them. |
| [5]They that were wont to fare delicatelye perishe in the streetes: they that afore were brought vp in purple, make nowe muche of doung |
[5]HE. They that feed on dainties are desolate in the streets: they that used to be nursed in scarlet have clothed themselves with dung. |
| [6]The sinne of the daughter of my people, is become greater then the wickednesse of Sodome, that sodaynely was destroyed, and not taken with handes |
[6]VAU. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people has been increased beyond the iniquities of Sodoma, the city that was overthrown very suddenly, and none laboured against her with their hands. |
| [7]Her abstayners were whyter then the snowe or milke, their colour was freshe, red as corall, their beautie like the Saphire |
[7]ZAIN. Her Nazarites were made purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were purified as with fire, their polishing was superior to sapphire stone. |
| [8]But nowe their faces be very blacke, insomuche that thou shouldest not knowe them in the streetes: their skinne cleaueth to their bones, it is withered and become like a drye stocke |
[8]HETH. Their countenance is become blacker than smoke; they are not known in the streets: their skin has cleaved to their bones; they are withered, they are become as a stick. |
| [9]They that be slayne with the sworde, are happier then such as dye of hunger, and perishe away famishing for the fruites of the fielde |
[9]TETH. The slain with the sword were better than they that were slain with hunger: they have departed, pierced through from want of the fruits of the field. |
| [10]The women (whiche of nature are pitifull) haue sodden their owne chyldren with their hands, that they might be their meate in the miserable destruction of the daughter of my people |
[10]JOD. The hands of tender-hearted women have sodden their own children: they became meat for them in the destruction of the daughter of my people. |
| [11]The Lorde hath perfourmed his heauie wrath, he hath powred out the furiousnesse of his displeasure: he hath kindeled a fire in Sion, which hath consumed the foundations therof |
[11]CHAPH. The Lord has accomplished his wrath; he has poured out fierce anger, and has kindled a fire in Sion, and it has devoured her foundations. |
| [12]Neither the kynges of the earth, nor all the inhabitours of the world, would haue beleued that the enemie and aduersarie shoulde haue come in at the gates of the citie of Hierusalem |
[12]LAMED. The kings of the earth, even all that dwell in the world, believed not that an enemy and oppressor would enter through the gates of Jerusalem. |
| [13]Whiche neuerthelesse is come to passe for the sinne of her prophetes, and for the wickednesse of her priestes, that haue shed innocents blood within her |
[13]MEM. For the sins of her prophets, and iniquities of her priests, who shed righteous blood in the midst of her, |
| [14]As blinde men went, they stumbling in the streetes, and stayned them selues with blood, insomuch that the heathen woulde in no wyse touche their garmentes |
[14]NUN. her watchmen staggered in the streets, they were defiled with blood in their weakness, they touched their raiment with it. |
| [15]But they cryed vnto them, flee ye polluted, away, get you hence, touche not: for they are vncleane and be remoued, yea they haue said among the heathen, they shall no more dwell in this citie |
[15]SAMECH. Depart ye from the unclean ones: call ye them: depart, depart, touch them not: for they are on fire, yea, they stagger: say ye among the nations, They shall no more sojourn there. |
| [16]The countenaunce of the Lorde hath banished them, and shall neuer looke more vpon them: for they them selues neither regarded the priestes, nor pitied their elders |
[16]AIN. The presence of the Lord was their portion; but he will not again look upon them: they regarded not the person of the priests, they pitied not the prophets. |
| [17]Wherefore yet our eyes fayled vs, whyles we looked for our vayne helpe, seeing we euer wayted vpon a people that coulde do vs no good |
[17]PHE. While we yet lived our eyes failed, while we looked in vain for our help. TSADE. We looked to a nation that could not save. |
| [18]They lay so sharpe wayte for vs, that we can not go safe vpon the streetes, for our ende is come, our dayes are fulfilled, our ende is here |
[18]We have hunted for our little ones, that they should not walk in our streets. KOPH. Our time has drawn nigh, our days are fulfilled, our time is come. |
| [19]Our persecutours are swifter then the Egles of the ayre: they folowed vppon vs ouer the mountaynes, and layde wayte for vs in the wyldernesse |
[19]Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky, they flew on the mountains, in the wilderness they laid wait for us. |
| [20]The very breath of our mouth, euen the annointed of the Lorde hym selfe, was taken in their net, of whom we say, Under his shadowe we shalbe preserued among the heathen |
[20]RECHS. The breath of our nostrils, our anointed Lord, was taken in their destructive snares, of whom we said, In his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles. |
| [21]And thou O daughter Edom that dwellest in the land of Huz, be glad and reioyce, for the cup shall come vnto thee also, thou shalt be dronken, and discouer thy nakednesse |
[21]CHSEN. Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Idumea, that dwellest in the land: yet the cup of the Lord shall pass through to thee: thou shalt be drunken, and pour forth. |
| [22]Thy sinnes are wel punished O thou daughter Sion, he shall not suffer thee to be caried away: but thy wickednesse O daughter Edom shall he visite, and wyll discouer thy sinnes |
[22]THAU. O daughter of Sion, thine iniquity has come to an end; he shall no more carry thee captive: he has visited thine iniquities, O daughter of Edom; he has discovered thy sins. |