Study Desk

ד (Dalet) He prepared his bow like an enemy; his right hand was ready to shoot. Like a foe he killed everyone, even our strong young men; he has poured out his anger like fire on the tent of Daughter Zion.

ו (Vav) He destroyed his temple as if it were a vineyard; he destroyed his appointed meeting place. The Lord has made those in Zion forget both the festivals and the Sabbaths. In his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.

ז (Zayin) The Lord rejected his altar and abhorred his temple. He handed over to the enemy her palace walls; the enemy shouted in the Lord 's temple as if it were a feast day.

ח (Khet) The Lord was determined to tear down Daughter Zion's wall. He prepared to knock it down; he did not withdraw his hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and fortified walls lament; together they mourned their ruin.

ע (Ayin) The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his promise that he threatened long ago: He has overthrown you without mercy and has enabled the enemy to gloat over you; he has exalted your adversaries' power.

א (Alef) I am the man who has experienced affliction from the rod of his wrath.

He repeatedly attacks me, he turns his hand against me all day long.

He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrow.

ה (He) He shot his arrows into my heart.

ח (Khet) The Lord 's loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.

Let him bury his face in the dust; perhaps there is hope.

Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him; let him have his fill of insults.

Though he causes us grief, he then has compassion on us according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.

to deprive a person of his rights in the presence of the Most High,

Why should any living person complain when punished for his sins?

כ (Kaf) The Lord fully vented his wrath; he poured out his fierce anger. He started a fire in Zion; it consumed her foundations.

ר (Resh) Our very life breath—the Lord 's anointed king— was caught in their traps, of whom we thought, "Under his protection we will survive among the nations."

I saw an amber glow like a fire enclosed all around from his waist up. From his waist down I saw something that looked like fire. There was a brilliant light around it,

When I say to the wicked, "You will certainly die," and you do not warn him—you do not speak out to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked deed and wicked lifestyle so that he may live—that wicked person will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death.

But as for you, if you warn the wicked and he does not turn from his wicked deed and from his wicked lifestyle, he will die for his iniquity but you will have saved your own life.