SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 1:7

1:7a In the days of her affliction and wandering

During the time of suffering and roaming
-or-
The people of Jerusalem are sad and scattered, (Translation for Translators)

1:7b Jerusalem remembers all the treasures

the people, ⌊who lived through the destruction of⌋ Jerusalem ⌊now⌋ think about all the precious things
-or-
and they think about the previous greatness of the city. (Translation for Translators)

1:7c that were hers in days of old.

that ⌊used⌋ to belong to them. ⌊Those things belonged to them⌋ for a very long time.
-or-

⌊Jerusalem had been a splendid city⌋ for many, many years.

1:7d When her people fell into enemy hands

When the enemies came and defeated the people ⌊of Jerusalem⌋ ,
-or-
But now our enemies have captured the city, (Translation for Translators)

1:7e she received no help.

nobody helped them ⌊fight against the enemies⌋ .
-or-
and there is no one to help the people. (Translation for Translators)

1:7f Her enemies looked upon her, laughing at her downfall.

The enemies laughed ⌊when they saw how the people of⌋ Jerusalem ⌊suffered⌋ when they destroyed the city.
-or-
Their enemies looked at them. They laughed because Jerusalem had been destroyed. (New International Reader’s Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2:17

2:17a The LORD has done what He planned;

Yahweh did what he planned.
-or-
Yahweh has finally done what he said he would do.

2:17b He has accomplished His decree,

He said it and he did it.
-or-
Yes, he has done (Easy English Bible)

2:17c which He ordained in days of old;

He commanded it a long time ago.
-or-
what he told you about a long time ago. (Easy English Bible)

2:17a-c (combined)

He did what he commanded a long time ago. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
Many, many years ago he/Yahweh said ⌊that he would destroy Jerusalem⌋ and now he has done it.
-or-
A long time ago Yahweh ordered that this threat to be carried out.

2:17d He has overthrown you without pity.

He has destroyed us without mercy. (GNTD)
-or-
He demolished the city of Jerusalem and had no compassion on the people.

2:17e He has let the enemy gloat over you

He allowed our enemies to make fun of us.
-or-
He has caused your enemies to be happy ⌊while/because you suffered⌋ .

2:17f and exalted the horn of your foes.

He let them defeat us.
-or-
He has made them strong so that they could win against you. (Easy English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:27

3:27a It is good for a man to bear the yoke

It is good for people to endure difficult times
-or-
It is good for a person to learn to be patient

3:27b while he is still young.

when they’re young. (God’s Word)
-or-
while he is still young.

3:27a-b (combined)

It is good for young people to be under discipline/instruction.
-or-
It’s a good thing to endure difficult times when you are still young.
-or-
It is also good for people to obey God when they are young. (Easy English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:59

3:59a You have seen, O LORD, the wrong done to me;

Now, Yahweh, you have seen the evil things that my enemies have done to me. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
Yahweh, you have seen the injustices which I had to endure.

3:59b vindicate my cause!

So, decide my case and show that I am right! (Translation for Translators)
-or-
Be my judge, and prove me right. (New Living Translation (2004))

3:59a-b (combined)

Judge in my favor, Yahweh. You know the bad things ⌊that were⌋ done against me.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 5:3

5:3a We have become fatherless orphans;

We have become orphans, who have no father ⌊to protect us⌋ .
-or-
Our fathers are no longer there, and so we are ⌊like helpless⌋ orphans.

5:3b our mothers are widows.

Our mothers have become like widows. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
Our mothers have lost their husbands.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 1:18

1:18a The LORD is righteous,

⌊The people of Jerusalem say,⌋ “What Yahweh has done to us is fair.
-or-
Jerusalem says, “Yahweh always does what is right.

1:18b for I have rebelled against His command.

⌊This is⌋ because we have disobeyed what he/Yahweh told us ⌊through the prophets⌋ .”
-or-
But I refused to obey his commands. (New International Reader’s Version)

1:18c Listen, all you people;

So listen, all you peoples; (New International Version)
-or-
You people everywhere, listen to us!

1:18d look upon my suffering.

Look at my pain! (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
We are in very bad trouble. (Easy English Bible)

1:18e My young men and maidens have gone into captivity.

Our young men and girls have been taken captive ⌊by the enemies⌋ .
-or-

⌊Enemies⌋ took our sons and daughters far away as slaves to distant lands.
-or-

⌊The enemies⌋ captured our young people and took them away to other countries.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:6

3:6a He has made me dwell in darkness

It was as if he buried me in a dark place
-or-
He has forced me to live in darkness (FBV)

3:6b like those dead for ages.

like people who died long ago.
-or-
like corpses in a grave.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:38

3:38a Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High

Does not the Most High (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God is the greatest of all and he causes things to happen. (Easy English Bible)

3:38b Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

send both sufferings and good? ⌊Yes, he does!⌋
-or-
He causes good things and bad things when he speaks. (Easy English Bible)

3:38a-b (combined)

Both good and bad come from the mouth of the Most High God. (God’s Word)
-or-
Troubles and good things alike come to people because the Most High God commanded them to come.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020