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16 Zion, your enemies curse you
and snarl like wild animals,
    while shouting,
“This is the day
we've waited for!
    At last, we've got you!”

17 The Lord has done everything
that he had planned
    and threatened long ago.
He destroyed you without mercy
and let your enemies boast
    about their powerful forces.[a]

18 Zion, deep in your heart
    you cried out to the Lord.
Now let your tears overflow
    your walls day and night.
Don't ever lose hope
    or let your tears stop.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.17 powerful forces: The Hebrew text has “horn,” which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.

16 All your enemies open their mouths
    wide against you;(A)
they scoff and gnash their teeth(B)
    and say, “We have swallowed her up.(C)
This is the day we have waited for;
    we have lived to see it.”(D)

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 2:17 Horn here symbolizes strength.