3 All the strength of Israelvanishes beneath his fierce anger.The Lord has withdrawn his protectionas the enemy attacks.He consumes the whole land of Israellike a raging fire.
4 He bends his bow against his people,as though he were their enemy.His strength is used against themto kill their finest youth.His fury is poured out like fireon beautiful Jerusalem.
5 Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israellike an enemy.He has destroyed her palacesand demolished her fortresses.He has brought unending sorrow and tearsupon beautiful Jerusalem.
6 He has broken down his Templeas though it were merely a garden shelter.The lord has blotted out all memoryof the holy festivals and Sabbath days.Kings and priests fall togetherbefore his fierce anger.
7 The Lord has rejected his own altar;he despises his own sanctuary.He has given Jerusalem’s palacesto her enemies.They shout in the lord’s Templeas though it were a day of celebration.
8 The lord was determinedto destroy the walls of beautiful Jerusalem.He made careful plans for their destruction,then did what he had planned.Therefore, the ramparts and wallshave fallen down before him.
9 Jerusalem’s gates have sunk into the ground.He has smashed their locks and bars.Her kings and princes have been exiled to distant lands;her law has ceased to exist.Her prophets receiveno more visions from the lord.