SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 1:15

1:15a The Lord has rejected all the mighty men in my midst;

The Lord looked at our mighty soldiers and laughed at them. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
The Lord thought that all our mighty soldiers, who defended us, were useless.

1:15b He has summoned an army against me

He called up an army to attack me, (FBV)
-or-
A great army came at his command

1:15c to crush my young warriors.

and destroyed my young men.
-or-
and killed our young men.

1:15d Like grapes in a winepress, the Lord has trampled the Virgin Daughter of Judah.

⌊It felt as if⌋ the Lord walked over the people of Judah like people walk over grapes ⌊to crush them and to let the juice come out⌋ .
-or-
The Lord completely destroyed the people of Judah.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:3

3:3a Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me

Even worse, he fought against me.
-or-
He is completely against me. (Easy English Bible)

3:3b all day long.

In fact he hits me again and again all day long. (FBV)
-or-
He kept hitting me all day without stopping.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:35

3:35a to deny a man justice

When people refuse to give someone what they should, (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
They may cheat other people out of what is rightfully theirs.

3:35b before the Most High

the Most High God knows it. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
However, the Most High watches them.
-or-
in the presence of the Most High. (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 4:1

4:1a How the gold has become tarnished,

Look at how the gold has lost its brightness! (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Previously our people were like pure gold, (Translation for Translators)

4:1b the pure gold has become dull!

Even pure gold has lost its shine! (FBV)
-or-
but now they are worthless. (Translation for Translators)

4:1c The gems of the temple lie scattered

The sacred gemstones (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jewels from the Temple have been scattered. (FBV)

4:1d on every street corner.

lie scattered in the streets! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They lie around in the streets.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 5:11

5:11a Women have been ravished in Zion,

Our wives have been raped in Jerusalem.
-or-
The enemies did what they wanted with the women in Jerusalem.

5:11b virgins in the cities of Judah.

Our daughters ⌊have been raped⌋ in every Judean village.
-or-

⌊They forced themselves on⌋ the young girls in the cities of Judah.

5:11a-b (combined)

Our enemies raped women and young girls in every town and city.
-or-
Those who invaded our land dishonored women and girls everywhere.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2:4

2:4a He has bent His bow like an enemy;

He prepared his bow like an enemy.
-or-
He attacked ⌊his people⌋ like an enemy with a bow ⌊and arrows⌋ .

2:4b His right hand is positioned.

He was ready ⌊to shoot⌋ .
-or-
He was about to ⌊shoot his arrow⌋ .

2:4c Like a foe He has killed

Like an enemy he killed
-or-
He was like our enemy. He killed

2:4d all who were pleasing to the eye;

all who were dear ⌊to us⌋ .
-or-
all our strong men that we were once so proud of.

2:4e He has poured out His wrath like fire

He let his anger fall ⌊on his people⌋ like fire.
-or-
He has shown how angry he was. (Easy English Bible)

2:4f on the tent of the Daughter of Zion.

⌊It fell⌋ on the homes of those who lived in Jerusalem ⌊and destroyed them⌋ .
-or-
He sent destruction on all of Zion’s houses.

2:4a-f (combined)

He attacked like an enemy with a bow and arrows. He killed our loved ones. He completely destroyed the homes on Mount Zion.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:14

3:14a I am a laughingstock to all my people;

Now everyone laughs at me, (FBV)
-or-
My own people laugh at me.

3:14b they mock me in song all day long.

singing songs that mock me all day long. (FBV)
-or-
All day, every day they sing songs that make fun of me.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:46

3:46a All our enemies open their mouths

“All our enemies open their mouths
-or-
“All our enemies have gloated

3:46b against us.

to criticize us. (FBV)
-or-
over us. (NET Bible)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020