SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 5:8

5:8a Slaves rule over us;

People ⌊who used to be⌋ slaves now command us.
-or-
Our rulers are no better than slaves, (GNTD)

5:8b there is no one to deliver us from their hands.

We have to obey and no one can help us to get free.
-or-
and no one can save us from their power. (GNTD)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2:1

2:1a How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion

See how the Lord covered the city of Zion (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Oh, God was extremely angry with us!

2:1b with the cloud of His anger!

with his anger ⌊like a⌋ cloud!
-or-
As a result, ⌊it was as though⌋ he covered Jerusalem with a stormy cloud.

2:1c He has cast the glory of Israel

He destroyed the most beautiful city in Israel.
-or-
Zion was the most beautiful city in Israel. But he has put it down (Easy English Bible)

2:1d from heaven to earth.

⌊Jerusalem⌋ is ruined now.
-or-
to the ground from its high place ⌊of honor⌋ .

2:1e He has abandoned His footstool

He did not protect his temple
-or-
He did not spare the temple, ⌊even though it was⌋ the place where he lived among the people.

2:1f in the day of His anger.

when he got angry.
-or-
That’s how angry he was!

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)

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.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Lamentations 2020