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17 Question the Eternal One about what He has done.
    He determined—punished according to the term and tenets
He laid down so long ago.
    He executed fierce destruction without pity
And made your enemy glad.
    He has made them prevail with might.

18 Raise your cry to the Lord with all your might!
    Take no relief; be ceaseless in grief.

Lady Jerusalem: Oh walls, may your stones cry out,
        cry out for daughter Zion;
    Make rivers with tears of sorrow, rushing.
        Do not cease from your weeping.

19     Stand up and yell in the night with all your heart;
        call to God even while the city sleeps during the night watch;
    Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord!
        Lift your hands and plead to Him for the lives of your children,
    For the babies weak with hunger
        dying on every street corner.

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17 The Lord has done what he planned;
    he has fulfilled(A) his word,
    which he decreed long ago.(B)
He has overthrown you without pity,(C)
    he has let the enemy gloat over you,(D)
    he has exalted the horn[a] of your foes.(E)

18 The hearts of the people
    cry out to the Lord.(F)
You walls of Daughter Zion,(G)
    let your tears(H) flow like a river
    day and night;(I)
give yourself no relief,
    your eyes no rest.(J)

19 Arise, cry out in the night,
    as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart(K) like water
    in the presence of the Lord.(L)
Lift up your hands(M) to him
    for the lives of your children,
who faint(N) from hunger
    at every street corner.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 2:17 Horn here symbolizes strength.