3 In his fury he shattered the strength of Israel;He refused to help us when the enemy came.He raged against us like fire, destroying everything.
4 He aimed his arrows at us like an enemy;He killed all those who were our joy and delight.Here in Jerusalem we felt his burning anger.
5 Like an enemy, the Lord has destroyed Israel;He has left her forts and palaces in ruins.He has brought on the people of Judah unending sorrow.
6 He smashed to pieces the Temple where we worshipped him;He has put an end to holy days and Sabbaths.King and priest alike have felt the force of his anger.
7 The Lord rejected his altar and deserted his holy Temple;He allowed the enemy to tear down its walls.They shouted in victory where once we had worshipped in joy.
8 The Lord was determined that the walls of Zion should fall;He measured them off to make sure of total destruction.The towers and walls now lie in ruins together.
9 The gates lie buried in rubble, their bars smashed to pieces.The king and the noblemen now are in exile.The Law is no longer taught, and the prophets have no visions from the Lord.