Khet
8 [Now] they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood.
Tet
9 Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced [with pain] because the fields lack produce.
Yod
10 The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they became their food during the destruction of my dear people.
Kaf
11 The Lord has exhausted His wrath, poured out His burning anger; He has ignited a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.
Lamed
12 The kings of the earth and all the world's inhabitants did not believe that an enemy or adversary could enter Jerusalem's gates.
Mem
13 [Yet it happened] because of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her.
Nun
14 Blind, they stumbled in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments.
Samek
15 "Stay away! Unclean!" people shouted at them. "Away, away! Don't touch [us]!" So they wandered aimlessly. It was said among the nations, "They can stay here no longer."
Pe
16 The Lord Himself has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are not respected; the elders find no favor.
Ayin
17 All the while our eyes were failing [as we looked] in vain for assistance; we watched from our towers for a nation that refused to help.
Tsade
18 Our steps were closely followed, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near; our time ran out. Our end had come!