4 He attacked like an enemywith a bow and arrows,killing our loved ones.He has burned 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 fallenfacedown 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.
10 Zion's leaders are silent.They just sit on the ground,tossing dirt on their headsand wearing sackcloth.Her young women can do nothingbut stare at the ground.