Lamentationes 4

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 (Aleph)Quomodo obscuratum est aurum, mutatus est color optimus ! dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum !	1 How tarnished is the gold, how changed the noble metal; How the sacred stones lie strewn at every street corner!
2 (Beth)Filii Sion inclyti, et amicti auro primo : quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea, opus manuum figuli !	2 Zion's precious sons, fine gold their counterpart, Now worth no more than earthen jars made by the hands of a potter!
3 (Ghimel)Sed et lamiæ nudaverunt mammam, lactaverunt catulos suos : filia populi mei crudelis quasi struthio in deserto.	3 Even the jackals bare their breasts and suckle their young; The daughter of my people has become as cruel as the ostrich in the desert.
4 (Daleth)Adhæsit lingua lactentis ad palatum ejus in siti ; parvuli petierunt panem, et non erat qui frangeret eis.	4 The tongue of the suckling cleaves to the roof of its mouth in thirst; The babes cry for food, but there is no one to give it to them.
5 (He)Qui vescebantur voluptuose, interierunt in viis ; qui nutriebantur in croceis, amplexati sunt stercora.	5 Those accustomed to dainty food perish in the streets; Those brought up in purple now cling to the ash heaps.
6 (Vau)Et major effecta est iniquitas filiæ populi mei peccato Sodomorum, quæ subversa est in momento, et non ceperunt in ea manus.	6 The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than the penalty of Sodom, Which was overthrown in an instant without the turning of a hand.
7 (Zain)Candidiores Nazaræi ejus nive, nitidiores lacte, rubicundiores ebore antiquo, sapphiro pulchriores.	7 Brighter than snow were her princes, whiter than milk, More ruddy than coral, more precious than sapphire.
8 (Heth)Denigrata est super carbones facies eorum et non sunt cogniti in plateis ; adhæsit cutis eorum ossibus : aruit, et facta est quasi lignum.	8 Now their appearance is blacker than soot, they are unrecognized on the streets; Their skin shrinks on their bones, as dry as wood.
9 (Teth)Melius fuit occisis gladio quam interfectis fame, quoniam isti extabuerunt consumpti a sterilitate terræ.	9 Better for those who perish by the sword than for those who die of hunger, Who waste away, as though pierced through, lacking the fruits of the field!
10 (Jod)Manus mulierum misericordium coxerunt filios suos ; facti sunt cibus earum in contritione filiæ populi mei.	10 The hands of compassionate women boiled their own children, To serve them as mourners' food in the downfall of the daughter of my people.
11 (Caph)Complevit Dominus furorem suum, effudit iram indignationis suæ : et succendit ignem in Sion, et devoravit fundamenta ejus.	11 The LORD has spent his anger, poured out his blazing wrath; He has kindled a fire in Zion that has consumed her foundations.
12 (Lamed)Non crediderunt reges terræ, et universi habitatores orbis, quoniam ingrederetur hostis et inimicus per portas Jerusalem.	12 The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any of the world's inhabitants, That enemy or foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13 (Mem)Propter peccata prophetarum ejus, et iniquitates sacerdotum ejus, qui effuderunt in medio ejus sanguinem justorum.	13 Because of the sins of her prophets and the crimes of her priests, Who shed in her midst the blood of the just!--
14 (Nun)Erraverunt cæci in plateis, polluti sunt in sanguine ; cumque non possent, tenuerunt lacinias suas.	14 They staggered blindly in the streets, soiled with blood, So that people could not touch even their garments:
15 (Samech)Recedite polluti, clamaverunt eis ; recedite, abite, nolite tangere : jurgati quippe sunt, et commoti dixerunt inter gentes : Non addet ultra ut habitet in eis.	15 "Away you unclean!" they cried to them, "Away, away, do not draw near!" If they left and wandered among the nations, nowhere could they remain.
16 (Phe)Facies Domini divisit eos, non addet ut respiciat eos ; facies sacerdotum non erubuerunt, neque senum miserti sunt.	16 The LORD himself has dispersed them, he regards them no more; He does not receive the priests with favor, nor show kindness to the elders.
17 (Ain)Cum adhuc subsisteremus, defecerunt oculi nostri ad auxilium nostrum vanum ; cum respiceremus attenti ad gentem quæ salvare non poterat.	17 Our eyes ever wasted away, looking in vain for aid; From our watchtower we watched for a nation that could not save us.
18 (Sade)Lubricaverunt vestigia nostra in itinere platearum nostrarum ; appropinquavit finis noster, completi sunt dies nostri, quia venit finis noster.	18 Men dogged our steps so that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, and came; our time had expired.
19 (Coph)Velociores fuerunt persecutores nostri aquilis cæli ; super montes persecuti sunt nos, in deserto insidiati sunt nobis.	19 Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the air, They harassed us on the mountains and waylaid us in the desert.
20 (Res)Spiritus oris nostri, christus Dominus, captus est in peccatis nostris, cui diximus : In umbra tua vivemus in gentibus.	20 The anointed one of the LORD, our breath of life, was caught in their snares, He in whose shadow we thought we could live on among the nations.
21 (Sin)Gaude et lætare, filia Edom, quæ habitas in terra Hus ! ad te quoque perveniet calix : inebriaberis, atque nudaberis.	21 Though you rejoice and are glad, O daughter Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz, To you also shall the cup be passed; you shall become drunk and naked.
22 (Thau)Completa est iniquitas tua, filia Sion : non addet ultra ut transmigret te. Visitavit iniquitatem tuam, filia Edom ; discooperuit peccata tua.	22 Your chastisement is completed, O daughter Zion, he will not prolong your exile; But your wickedness, O daughter Edom, he will punish, he will lay bare your sins.