3 In his anger the Lord has removedall the strength of Israel.He took away his power from Israelwhen the enemy came.He burned against the people of Jacob like a flaming firethat burns up everything around it.
4 Like an enemy, the Lord prepared to shoot his bow.He took hold of his sword.Like an enemy, he killedall the good-looking people.He poured out his anger like fireon the tents of Jerusalem.
5 The Lord has become like an enemy.He has swallowed up Israel.He has swallowed up all her palaces.He has destroyed all her strong places.He has caused more moaning and groaningfor Judah.
6 He has destroyed his Temple as if it were a garden tent.He has destroyed the place where he met with his people.The Lord has made Jerusalem forgetthe set feasts and Sabbath days.He has rejected the king and the priestin his great anger.
7 The Lord has rejected his altarand abandoned his Temple.He has given to the enemythe walls of Jerusalem’s palaces.The enemy shouted in the Lord’s Templeas if it were a feast day.
8 The Lord planned to destroythe wall around Jerusalem.He marked the wall off with a measuring line.He did not stop himself from destroying it.He made the walls and defenses sad.Together they have fallen.
9 Jerusalem’s gates have fallen to the ground.He destroyed and smashed the bars of the gates.Her king and her princes are sent away among the nations.The teaching of the Lord has stopped.The prophets have not hadany visions from the Lord.