^3 [a]Step toward the ^[b](A)irreparable ruins;
The enemy ^(B)has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
⁴ Your adversaries have ^(C)roared in the midst of Your meeting place;
They have set up their ^(D)own signs as ^(E)signs.
⁵ It ^[c]seems like one bringing up
His ^(F)axe into a ^[d]forest of trees.
⁶ And now they break down ^[e]all its ^(G)carved work
With axe and hammers.
⁷ They have ^[f](H)burned Your sanctuary ^[g]to the ground;
They have ^(I)defiled the dwelling place of Your name.
⁸ They ^(J)said in their heart, “Let’s ^[h]completely ^[i]subdue them.”
They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land.
⁹ We do not see our ^(K)signs;
There is ^(L)no longer any prophet,
Nor is there anyone among us who knows ^(M)how long.
¹⁰ How long, God, will the enemy ^(N)taunt You?
Shall the enemy ^(O)treat Your name disrespectfully forever?

79 God, the ^(A)nations have ^[a]invaded ^(B)Your inheritance;
They have defiled Your ^(C)holy temple;
They have ^(D)laid Jerusalem in ruins.
² They have given the ^(E)dead bodies of Your servants to the birds of the sky as food,
The flesh of Your godly ones to the animals of the earth.
³ They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem;
And there was ^(F)no one to bury them.
⁴ We have become a ^(G)disgrace before our neighbors,
An object of derision and ridicule to those around us.