Dictionnaire Biblique de Top Bible

LAMENTATIONS (livre des)

1.

La Bible hébraïque désigne ce livre par le mot initial ékâh (=eh quoi ! comment !) ; mais les Massorètes, ! e Talmud et Jérôme l'appellent aussi Qînoth (plur, de qînâh), les Complaintes ; les LXX : Thrênoï ; les versions latines : tantôt Threni, tantôt Lamenta-tiones, qui n'est pas l'équivalent de l'hébreu ; qînâh désigne en effet (comme thrênos) un genre littéraire bien déterminé.

Dans le canon de l'A. T, (voir art.), notre livre fait partie des « Écrits » ; il est le troisième des cinq « Rouleaux », entre Ruth et l'Ecclésiaste. La version grecque, comme la Vulgate et les traductions modernes, le place à la suite du livre de Jérémie (voir plus bas).

Ces 5 complaintes ont chacune 22 strophes, composées elles-mêmes de 3 vers dans les complaintes 1, 2 et 3, De 2 dans la 4 e, d'un seul dans la 5 e. Toutes, sauf la 5 e, sont acrostiches : chaque strophe commence par une des 22 lettres de l'alphabet ; dans la 3 e, chaque vers même commence par la même lettre : il y en a donc 3 avec aleph initial, 3 avec beth, etc. (voir Alphabétique). Le vers le plus souvent employé se compose de 5 pieds, constitués eux-mêmes par les syllabes accentuées des mots, entre lesquelles les syllabes non accentuées peuvent être en nombre variable. La césure suit le 3° pied, partageant ainsi le vers en 2 stiches. Cette alternance de stiches longs et courts, le second faisant au premier une sorte d'écho, donnait à ces chants le rythme particulier de la complainte. Dans le 5 e, chaque vers est composé de 2 stiches de 3 pieds chacun.

2.

Le poète raconte d'abord (La 1:1,11) les malheurs de Sion personnifiée, laquelle prend la parole pour exhaler sa douleur (verset 12,22). C'est le Seigneur lui-même (ch. 2) qui a déchaîné sur sa ville la catastrophe où l'Etat a sombré, où le temple et le culte ont disparu, par la faute des chefs spirituels indignes qui ont égaré Sion.

--Dans la 3 e complainte le poète se lamente sur le châtiment infligé par l'Éternel ; mais celui-ci ne punit que pour pousser à la repentance : il faut donc avoir confiance en Lui. La 4e complainte décrit à nouveau la catastrophe. Le dernier chant (ch. 5) n'est pas une complainte mais une prière.

En résumé, c'est la voix des souvenirs du peuple qui retentit dans les complaintes 1, 2 et 4 ; la 3° complainte est le chant d'un affligé dont les plaintes rappellent celles des psaumes.

3.

Selon les LXX, écho des traditions des Juifs d'Alexandrie, les 5 complaintes sont de Jérémie. (cf. Jer 1:1 dans LXX, Vers. Syr. et Mischna) De là leur place à la suite du livre de ce prophète. Cette conviction, recueillie par les versions latines et modernes, s'appuie probablement sur un passage biblique : d'après 2Ch 35:25, Jérémie avait composé une complainte sur la mort de Josias ; la tradition, généreuse, n'a pas hésité à lui attribuer la paternité de nos 5 chants. Cette opinion, différente de celle du canon hébreu, ne résiste pas à un examen attentif. Ainsi l'auteur rejette la faute de la catastrophe sur les prêtres et les prophètes (Jer 2:14 4:13,16) ou encore sur les ancêtres (Jer 5:7), conception opposée à celle de Jérémie (Jer 31:29 et suivant) ; celui-ci aurait, du reste, distingué entre les prophètes qui égaraient le peuple et les véritables serviteurs de Dieu.

D'autre part Jérémie, qui recevait des messages d'En-haut en Palestine et même en Egypte (Jer 43:8), n'aurait pas écrit un mot comme La 2:9, si peu en rapport avec la réalité.

Enfin nos complaintes reflètent un profond découragement, tandis que Jérémie, qui joue constamment à Jérusalem le rôle de Cassandre, lutte sans se lasser et sans perdre confiance contre les dispositions défaitistes de ses frères. Cf. encore La 4:17, qui ne saurait guère être de lui, et le fait que la trad. grec des Lamentations est d'une autre main que celle du livre du prophète.

Les complaintes 2 et 4, les plus anciennes, ont été composées par des témoins directs de la catastrophe ; l'une d'elles, même, peut-être par un familier de Sédécias (La 4:20). Elles sont cependant postérieures à 586 : la douleur des rescapés qui ont pu se créer une nouvelle existence est devenue sujet de réflexions, et le recul est suffisant pour que l'art puisse tirer parti de cette inspiration cruelle mais féconde. Certains termes semblent empruntés à Ézéchiel. D'autre part, sur l'horizon encore sombre les événements des années 540 et suivantes sont imprévisibles à l'heure où l'auteur écrit, c-à-d, vers 570 ou 560.

La 1re complainte, qui a moins de traits pris sur le vif et semble plus éloignée des événements, date de la fin de l'exil, comme la prière finale (ch. 5) dont l'inspiration rappelle celle du ch. 1 et qui pourrait être de la même main.

La 3e complainte, par contre, est postérieure. Les allusions à la catastrophe de 586 sont des plus vagues. L'auteur parle en son propre nom : comme son inspiration ne suffit pas à remplir le cadre qu'il s'est fixé, il incorpore à son oeuvre les éléments collectifs que nous y trouvons (verset 40-42,46 et suivant). Notre chant a certains rapports de langage avec le Ps 119 (III e siècle), mais il lui est bien supérieur par les idées. L'inspiration religieuse et morale dépasse celle des autres complaintes : confiance plus grande en l'Éternel, intelligence plus haute de ses desseins, soumission plus complète à sa volonté, tout cela est d'un temps où la piété israélite a tiré parti des leçons du passé. Ce chant date probablement de la fin du IV e siècle.

Nos complaintes les plus anciennes n'ont pas été composées en Judée, où les déportations de l'élite suivies de l'émigration en Egypte n'avaient laissé que les débris de la population, trop harcelés de soucis pour songer à une activité littéraire quelconque. Le ton et l'esprit sont ceux de déportés encore sous le coup des événements. Elles ont donc été rédigées probablement en Babylonie ; la 3 e, par contre, à Jérusalem.

4.

Quant à la composition de notre recueil, on comprend sans peine que les complaintes 1, 2 et 4 aient été de bonne heure réunies en un volume, bientôt augmenté de la 5°qui complétait assez heureusement la collection. On s'étonne davantage d'y rencontrer la 3 e, vu son origine postérieure. Mais comme on attribuait ces pages à Jérémie, le rédacteur du recueil a ajouté notre 3 e complainte, qui lui paraissait sortir plus directement de la plume de cet homme de Dieu, et répondre mieux aux sentiments soit des individus, soit de la communauté, quand l'usage se fut établi, sans doute aux derniers siècles av. J. -C, de lire nos « Lamentations » à la solennité du 9 eme (anniversaire de la ruine de Jérusalem). Ce chant a ainsi fourni l'élément de condensation du recueil, en lui ajoutant un élément nouveau.

5.

La forme acrosticho-alphabétique a dû parfois gêner nos poètes, et la nécessité de composer 22 strophes de 2 ou 3 vers chacune les a obligés à des répétitions et à des longueurs, sensibles surtout dans la 3 e complainte. Ces 5 chants n'en constituent pas moins une page intéressante de la littérature hébraïque : la paternité n'en a pas été refusée à Jérémie pour des raisons esthétiques, car la langue en est excellente et le génie de nos poètes s'égale à celui de n'importe quel psalmiste.

Leur valeur religieuse et morale n'est pas partout la même. Dans les complaintes 1, 2, 4 et 5, surtout dans la 2 e, règne le sentiment de la puissance et de la justice de Dieu qui, après d'incessants appels, a fini par châtier le peuple rebelle. L'auteur ne se plaint jamais de ce que Dieu soit injuste ou ait outrepassé ses droits, car il a fait ce que son caractère moral l'obligeait à faire ; on le supplie seulement d'adoucir l'épreuve.

Celle-ci a eu une conséquence heureuse et féconde pour les meilleurs éléments de Juda : elle les a amenés à la repentance ; et le poète se plaît à nous montrer le peuple faisant un retour sur lui-même, surtout dans la 3 e complainte, dont la lecture est la plus édifiante pour des chrétiens. A cet égard le titre de notre livre est malheureux : ce mot « lamentations » laisse croire que le ou les auteurs ne savent que gémir sur leur triste sort ou celui de leur pays. En réalité, la repentance confiante a une assez large place dans ces pages pour que celles-ci fassent fort bonne figure à côté des psaumes et des harangues des prophètes. E. G.

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    • Lévitique 3

      1 "'If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings; if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before Yahweh.
      2 He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron's sons, the priests shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar.
      3 He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards,
      4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away.
      5 Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
      6 "'If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh is from the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
      7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before Yahweh;
      8 and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
      9 He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards,
      10 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away.
      11 The priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to Yahweh.
      12 "'If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before Yahweh:
      13 and he shall lay his hand on its head, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
      14 He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards,
      15 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away.
      16 The priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma; all the fat is Yahweh's.
      17 "'It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that you shall eat neither fat nor blood.'"

      Lévitique 5

      1 "'If anyone sins, in that he hears the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn't report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
      2 "'Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty.
      3 "'Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty.
      4 "'Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty of one of these.
      5 It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned:
      6 and he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.
      7 "'If he can't afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to Yahweh; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
      8 He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely.
      9 He shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering.
      10 He shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the ordinance; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he has sinned, and he shall be forgiven.
      11 "'But if he can't afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, neither shall he put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
      12 He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. It is a sin offering.
      13 The priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned in any of these things, and he will be forgiven; and the rest shall be the priest's, as the meal offering.'"
      14 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
      15 "If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly, in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
      16 He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong in the holy thing, and shall add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and he will be forgiven.
      17 "If anyone sins, and does any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done; though he didn't know it, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
      18 He shall bring a ram without blemish from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn't know it, and he will be forgiven.
      19 It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before Yahweh."

      2 Chroniques 35

      25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold, they are written in the lamentations.

      Psaumes 119

      1 <<ALEPH>> Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law.
      2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
      3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
      4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
      5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
      6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
      7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
      8 I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me.
      9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
      10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.
      11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
      12 Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
      13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
      14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
      15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
      16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
      17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
      18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
      19 I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.
      20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
      21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
      22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
      23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
      24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
      25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
      26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
      27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
      28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.
      29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
      30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
      31 I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.
      32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
      33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
      34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
      35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
      36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
      37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
      38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
      39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
      40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
      41 Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.
      42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
      43 Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
      44 So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
      45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
      46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
      47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
      48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
      49 Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
      50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
      51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law.
      52 I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.
      53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
      54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
      55 I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.
      56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
      57 Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
      58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
      59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
      60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
      61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.
      62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
      63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
      64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
      65 Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.
      66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
      67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
      68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
      69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
      70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
      71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
      72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
      73 Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
      74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
      75 Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
      76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
      77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
      78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
      79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
      80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
      81 My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
      82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
      83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.
      84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
      85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
      86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
      87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.
      88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
      89 Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.
      90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
      91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
      92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
      93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
      94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
      95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
      96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
      97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
      98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
      99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
      100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
      101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
      102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
      103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
      104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
      105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
      106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
      107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.
      108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.
      109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.
      110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
      111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
      112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
      113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
      114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
      115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
      116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
      117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
      118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
      119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
      120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
      121 I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.
      122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.
      123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
      124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
      125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
      126 It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.
      127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
      128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
      129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
      130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
      131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
      132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
      133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.
      134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
      135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
      136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law.
      137 You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.
      138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
      139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
      140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
      141 I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.
      142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
      143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
      144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
      145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.
      146 I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
      147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
      148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
      149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.
      150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
      151 You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.
      152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
      153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law.
      154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
      155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes.
      156 Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.
      157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
      158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word.
      159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.
      160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
      161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
      162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.
      163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
      164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
      165 Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
      166 I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.
      167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
      168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
      169 Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.
      170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
      171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
      172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
      173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
      174 I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
      175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
      176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments.

      Jérémie 1

      1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

      Jérémie 2

      14 Is Israel a servant? Is he a native-born slave? Why has he become a prey?

      Jérémie 4

      13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! For we are ruined.
      16 "Tell the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, 'Watchers come from a far country, and raise their voice against the cities of Judah.

      Jérémie 5

      7 "How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and sworn by what are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes' houses.

      Jérémie 31

      29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.

      Jérémie 43

      8 Then came the word of Yahweh to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

      Lamentations 1

      1 How the city sits solitary, that was full of people! She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become tributary!
      11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for food to refresh the soul: look, Yahweh, and see; for I am become abject.

      Lamentations 2

      1 How has the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He has cast down from heaven to the earth the beauty of Israel, And hasn't remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.
      2 The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and has not pitied: He has thrown down in his wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He has brought them down to the ground; he has profaned the kingdom and its princes.
      3 He has cut off in fierce anger all the horn of Israel; He has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy: He has burned up Jacob like a flaming fire, which devours all around.
      4 He has bent his bow like an enemy, he has stood with his right hand as an adversary, Has killed all that were pleasant to the eye: In the tent of the daughter of Zion he has poured out his wrath like fire.
      5 The Lord has become as an enemy, he has swallowed up Israel; He has swallowed up all her palaces, he has destroyed his strongholds; He has multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.
      6 He has violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden; he has destroyed his place of assembly: Yahweh has caused solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion, Has despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
      7 The Lord has cast off his altar, he has abhorred his sanctuary; He has given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces: They have made a noise in the house of Yahweh, as in the day of a solemn assembly.
      8 Yahweh has purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion; He has stretched out the line, he has not withdrawn his hand from destroying; He has made the rampart and wall to lament; they languish together.
      9 Her gates are sunk into the ground; he has destroyed and broken her bars: Her king and her princes are among the nations where the law is not; Yes, her prophets find no vision from Yahweh.
      10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, they keep silence; They have cast up dust on their heads; they have clothed themselves with sackcloth: The virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.
      11 My eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled; My liver is poured on the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the young children and the infants swoon in the streets of the city.
      12 They tell their mothers, Where is grain and wine? When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, When their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom.
      13 What shall I testify to you? what shall I liken to you, daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? For your breach is great like the sea: who can heal you?
      14 Your prophets have seen for you false and foolish visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captivity, but have seen for you false oracles and causes of banishment.
      15 All that pass by clap their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men called The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
      16 All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you; They hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.
      17 Yahweh has done that which he purposed; he has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old; He has thrown down, and has not pitied: He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; he has exalted the horn of your adversaries.
      18 Their heart cried to the Lord: wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; Give yourself no respite; don't let the apple of your eye cease.
      19 Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord: Lift up your hands toward him for the life of your young children, that faint for hunger at the head of every street.
      20 Look, Yahweh, and see to whom you have done thus! Shall the women eat their fruit, the children that are dandled in the hands? Shall the priest and the prophet be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord?
      21 The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets; My virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword: You have killed them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered, and not pitied.
      22 You have called, as in the day of a solemn assembly, my terrors on every side; There was none that escaped or remained in the day of Yahweh's anger: Those that I have dandled and brought up has my enemy consumed.

      Lamentations 3

      1 I am the man that has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
      2 He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
      3 Surely against me he turns his hand again and again all the day.
      4 My flesh and my skin has he made old; he has broken my bones.
      5 He has built against me, and surrounded me with gall and travail.
      6 He has made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
      7 He has walled me about, that I can't go forth; he has made my chain heavy.
      8 Yes, when I cry, and call for help, he shuts out my prayer.
      9 He has walled up my ways with cut stone; he has made my paths crooked.
      10 He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
      11 He has turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he has made me desolate.
      12 He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
      13 He has caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my kidneys.
      14 I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
      15 He has filled me with bitterness, he has sated me with wormwood.
      16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he has covered me with ashes.
      17 You have removed my soul far off from peace; I forgot prosperity.
      18 I said, My strength is perished, and my expectation from Yahweh.
      19 Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
      20 My soul still remembers them, and is bowed down within me.
      21 This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
      22 It is because of Yahweh's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail.
      23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
      24 Yahweh is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
      25 Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
      26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Yahweh.
      27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
      28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he has laid it on him.
      29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
      30 Let him give his cheek to him who strikes him; let him be filled full with reproach.
      31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
      32 For though he cause grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
      33 For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
      34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
      35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,
      36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord doesn't approve.
      37 Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord doesn't command it?
      38 Doesn't evil and good come out of the mouth of the Most High?
      39 Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
      40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Yahweh.
      41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.
      42 We have transgressed and have rebelled; you have not pardoned.
      43 You have covered with anger and pursued us; you have killed, you have not pitied.
      44 You have covered yourself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through.
      45 You have made us an off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
      46 All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
      47 Fear and the pit have come on us, devastation and destruction.
      48 My eye runs down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
      49 My eye pours down, and doesn't cease, without any intermission,
      50 Until Yahweh look down, and see from heaven.
      51 My eye affects my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.
      52 They have chased me relentlessly like a bird, those who are my enemies without cause.
      53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone on me.
      54 Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off.
      55 I called on your name, Yahweh, out of the lowest dungeon.
      56 You heard my voice; don't hide your ear at my breathing, at my cry.
      57 You drew near in the day that I called on you; you said, Don't be afraid.
      58 Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul; you have redeemed my life.
      59 Yahweh, you have seen my wrong. Judge my cause.
      60 You have seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me.
      61 You have heard their reproach, Yahweh, and all their devices against me,
      62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
      63 You see their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.
      64 You will render to them a recompense, Yahweh, according to the work of their hands.
      65 You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them.
      66 You will pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Yahweh.

      Lamentations 4

      1 How the gold has become dim! The most pure gold has changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.
      2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
      3 Even the jackals draw out the breast, they nurse their young ones: The daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
      4 The tongue of the nursing child clings to the roof of his mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaks it to them.
      5 Those who fed delicately are desolate in the streets: Those who were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
      6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, That was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were laid on her.
      7 Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire.
      8 Their appearance is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: Their skin clings to their bones; it is withered, it has become like a stick.
      9 Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
      10 The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children; They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.
      11 Yahweh has accomplished his wrath, he has poured out his fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured its foundations.
      12 The kings of the earth didn't believe, neither all the inhabitants of the world, That the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem.
      13 It is because of the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
      14 They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, So that men can't touch their garments.
      15 Depart! they cried to them, Unclean! depart, depart, don't touch! When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, They shall not live here any more.
      16 The anger of Yahweh has scattered them; he will no more regard them: They didn't respect the persons of the priests, they didn't favor the elders.
      17 Our eyes still fail, looking in vain for our help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.
      18 They hunt our steps, so that we can't go in our streets: Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end has come.
      19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky: They chased us on the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.
      20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Yahweh, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.
      21 Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, that dwell in the land of Uz: The cup shall pass through to you also; you shall be drunken, and shall make yourself naked.
      22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, daughter of Zion; he will no more carry you away into captivity: He will visit your iniquity, daughter of Edom; he will uncover your sins.

      Lamentations 5

      1 Remember, Yahweh, what has come on us: Look, and see our reproach.
      2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers, Our houses to aliens.
      3 We are orphans and fatherless; Our mothers are as widows.
      4 We have drunken our water for money; Our wood is sold to us.
      5 Our pursuers are on our necks: We are weary, and have no rest.
      6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians, To the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
      7 Our fathers sinned, and are no more; We have borne their iniquities.
      8 Servants rule over us: There is none to deliver us out of their hand.
      9 We get our bread at the peril of our lives, Because of the sword of the wilderness.
      10 Our skin is black like an oven, Because of the burning heat of famine.
      11 They ravished the women in Zion, The virgins in the cities of Judah.
      12 Princes were hanged up by their hand: The faces of elders were not honored.
      13 The young men bare the mill; The children stumbled under the wood.
      14 The elders have ceased from the gate, The young men from their music.
      15 The joy of our heart is ceased; Our dance is turned into mourning.
      16 The crown is fallen from our head: Woe to us! for we have sinned.
      17 For this our heart is faint; For these things our eyes are dim;
      18 For the mountain of Zion, which is desolate: The foxes walk on it.
      19 You, Yahweh, remain forever; Your throne is from generation to generation.
      20 Why do you forget us forever, And forsake us so long time?
      21 Turn us to yourself, Yahweh, and we shall be turned. Renew our days as of old.
      22 But you have utterly rejected us; You are very angry against us.
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