4:1. Aleph. How is the gold become dim, the finest colour is changed,
the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street?
4:2. Beth. The noble sons of Sion, and they that were clothed with the
best gold: how are they esteemed as earthen vessels, the work of the
potter’s hands?
4:3. Ghimel. Even the sea monsters have drawn out the breast, they have
given suck to their young: the daughter of my people is cruel, like the
ostrich in the desert.
4:4. Daleth. The tongue of the sucking child hath stuck to the roof of
his mouth for thirst: the little ones have asked for bread, and there
was none to break it unto them.
4:5. He. They that were fed delicately have died in the streets: they
that were brought up in scarlet have embraced the dung.
4:6. Vau. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people is made greater
than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and hands took
nothing in her.
4:7. Zain. Her Nazarites were whiter than snow, purer than milk, more
ruddy than the old ivory, fairer than the sapphire.
4:8. Heth. Their face is now made blacker than coals, and they are not
known in the streets: their skin hath stuck to their bones, it is
withered, and is become like wood.
4:9. Teth. It was better with them that were slain by the sword, than
with them that died with hunger: for these pined away being consumed
for want of the fruits of the earth.
4:10. Jod. The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own
children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my
people.
4:11. Caph. The Lord hath accomplished his wrath, he hath poured out
his fierce anger: and he hath kindled a fire in Sion, and it hath
devoured the foundations thereof.
4:12. Lamed. The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the
world would not have believed, that the adversary and the enemy should
enter in by the gates of Jerusalem.
4:13. Mem. For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her
priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
4:14. Nun. They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they were
defiled with blood: and when they could not help walking in it, they
held up their skirts.
4:15. Samech. Depart you that are defiled, they cried out to them:
Depart, get ye hence, touch not: for they quarrelled, and being
removed, they said among the Gentiles: He will no more dwell among
them.
4:16. Phe. The face of the Lord hath divided them, he will no more
regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, neither had
they pity on the ancient.
4:17. Ain. While we were yet standing, our eyes failed, expecting help
for us in vain, when we looked attentively towards a nation that was
not able to save.
4:18. Sade. Our steps have slipped in the way of our streets, our end
draweth near: our days are fulfilled, for our end is come.
4:19. Coph. Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the air:
they pursued us upon the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the
wilderness.
4:20. Res. The breath of our mouth, Christ the Lord, is taken in our
sins: to whom we said: Under thy shadow we shall live among the
Gentiles.
Christ, etc.... This, according to the letter, is spoken of their king,
who is called the Christ, that is, the Anointed of the Lord. But it
also relates, in the spiritual sense, to Christ our Lord, suffering for
our sins.
4:21. Sin. Rejoice, and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in
the land of Hus: to thee also shall the cup come, thou shalt be made
drunk, and naked.
4:22. Thau. Thy iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Sion, he will
no more carry thee away into captivity: he hath visited thy iniquity, O
daughter of Edom, he hath discovered thy sins.