Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 By the rivers of Bavel, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Tziyon.
1
Alongside Babylon's rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion.
2 On the willows in the midst of it, We hung up our harps.
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Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps;
3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Tziyon!"
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That's where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: "Sing us a happy Zion song!"
4 How can we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?
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Oh, how could we ever sing God's song in this wasteland?
5 If I forget you, Yerushalayim, Let my right hand forget its skill.
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If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves.
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, If I don't remember you; If I don't prefer Yerushalayim above my chief joy.
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Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest.
7 Remember, LORD, against the children of Edom, The day of Yerushalayim; Who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!"
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God, remember those Edomites, and remember the ruin of Jerusalem, That day they yelled out, "Wreck it, smash it to bits!"
8 Daughter of Bavel, doomed to destruction, He will be happy who rewards you, As you have served us.
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And you, Babylonians - ravagers! A reward to whoever gets back at you for all you've done to us;
9 Happy shall he be, Who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
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Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies and smashes their heads on the rocks!
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.