SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020 – Page 19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:11

3:11a He forced me off my path and tore me to pieces

⌊It felt as if he⌋ pulled me away from the path and tore me to pieces.
-or-
He dragged me into the bushes and tore me with his claws,

3:11b He left me without help.

Then he left me lying there helpless.
-or-
leaving me bleeding and desolate. (TLB)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:43

3:43a You have covered Yourself in anger

(Translation for Translators🙂 You have surrounded us with your anger

You wrapped us up in your anger
-or-
You have hidden yourself from us because you were angry.

3:43b and pursued us;

and chased us.
-or-
You have followed us (Easy English Bible)

3:43c You have killed without pity.

You killed us and had no compassion.
-or-
so that you could kill us. You were not sorry about it. (Easy English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 4:9

4:9a Those slain by the sword are better off

It is better to die in a battle (Translation for Translators)
-or-
People ⌊who were⌋ killed while fighting ⌊the enemy⌋ had it better

4:9b than those who die of hunger,

than to die of hunger. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
than those who died because there was no food ⌊any more⌋ .

4:9c who waste away, pierced with pain

They were hungry, became weak and they suffered a lot.
-or-
They died slowly and in a lot of pain,

4:9d because the fields lack produce.

The fields didn’t produce any crops any more.
-or-
because there was no food any more.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 5:19

5:19a You, O LORD, reign forever;

But Yahweh, you rule forever! (Translation for Translators)
-or-
But you, Yahweh, are king forever ⌊even if your temple is destroyed⌋ .

5:19b Your throne endures from generation to generation.

You continue to rule from one generation to the next generation. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
No one can ever hinder your rule.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 1:1

Division 1:1-22

Song One: The Prophet Jeremiah mourned for the Israel people

Section 1:1–11

Jerusalem is like a widow.

1:1a How lonely lies the city, once so full of people!

Look how deserted Jerusalem is! Once the city was crowded with people. (God’s Word)
-or-
The ⌊ holy ⌋ city ⌊Jerusalem ⌋ once had very many people! Now it is almost empty.

1:1b She who was great among the nations has become a widow.

Once it was important among the nations. Now it is a widow. (God’s Word)
-or-
The city is like the wife of a dead husband. Once she was famous among other countries.

1:1c The princess of the provinces has become a slave.

She was once a princess among cities, but now she has been made a slave. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-

⌊Once⌋ it/Zion was ⌊honored like⌋ a princess ⌊is honored⌋ among the nations. But now ⌊we who live here⌋ have become slaves.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2:12

2:12a They cry out to their mothers:

The children ask their mothers
-or-
Those children cry to their mothers

2:12b “Where is the grain and wine?”

“Give me something to eat and drink, ⌊mama⌋ !”
-or-
and ask them for food.
-or-
“Mama, Mama, we want food,” they cry. (TLB)

2:12c as they faint like the wounded

They fall down as if they were wounded ⌊like soldiers in a war⌋
-or-
Then they fall down in pain (Easy English Bible)

2:12d in the streets of the city,

⌊and lie⌋ in the city’s streets.
-or-
on the streets of the city. (Easy English Bible)

2:12c-d (combined)

They fall in the streets as though they were wounded. (GNTD)

2:12e as their lives fade away

They slowly die (Translation for Translators)
-or-
They die slowly (NET Bible)

2:12f in the arms of their mothers.

in the arms of their mothers. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
while their mothers hold them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:22

3:22a Because of the loving devotion of the LORD

Yahweh loves us very much.
-or-
It’s because of Yahweh’s trustworthy love

3:22b we are not consumed,

So we havenʼt been completely destroyed. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
that our lives are not finished. (FBV)

3:22c for His mercies never fail.

His loving concern never fails. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Surely, he never stops feeling compassion for us.
-or-
Yes, Yahweh is always concerned about us.

3:22a-c (combined)

We are still alive only because Yahweh is so very gracious. His mercies have no end.
-or-

⌊This is what I remember,⌋ his compassion never ends. It is only Yahweh’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.
-or-
Yahweh’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 3:54

3:54a The waters flowed over my head,

Water flooded over my head, (FBV)
-or-
The water covered my head. (Easy English Bible)

3:54b and I thought I was going to die.

and I thought I was going to die. (FBV)
-or-
I said to myself, “This is the end of my life.”

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020