3 The Lord was so furiously angrythat he wiped outthe whole army of Israelby not supporting themwhen the enemy attacked.He was like a raging firethat swallowed upthe descendants of Jacob.
4 He attacked like an enemywith a bow and arrows,killing our loved ones.He has burnt to the groundthe homes on Mount Zion.
5 The Lord was like an enemy!He left Israel in ruinswith its palacesand fortresses destroyed,and with everyone in Judahmoaning and weeping.
6 He shattered his templelike a hut in a garden;he completely wiped outhis meeting place,and did away with festivalsand Sabbathsin the city of Zion.In his fierce anger he rejectedour king and priests.
7 The Lord abandoned his altarand his temple;he let Zion's enemiescapture her fortresses.Noisy shouts were heardfrom the temple,as if it were a timeof celebration.
8 The Lord had decidedto tear down the walls of Zionstone by stone.So he started destroyingand did not stopuntil walls and fortressesmourned and trembled.
9 Zion's gates have fallenface down on the ground;the bars that locked the gatesare smashed to pieces.Her king and royal familyare prisonersin foreign lands.Her priests don't teach,and her prophets don't havea message from the Lord.