א (Alef)

The Prophet Speaks:

3:1 I am the man who has experienced affliction from the disciplining rod of his wrath.

3:2 He has driven me into captivity, and made me walk in deep darkness.

3:3 He repeatedly attacked me over and over, continually.

ב (Bet)

3:4 He has caused my mortal skin to waste away; he has broken my bones.

3:5 He has besieged and surrounded me with bitter hardship.

3:6 He has made me reside in intense darkness like those who died long ago.

ג (Gimel)

3:7 He has walled me in so that I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with heavy prison chains.

3:8 Even though I cry out desperately for help, he shuts his ears to my prayer.

3:9 He has blocked every road I take with a wall of fitted stones; he has made every path on which I flee impossible to traverse.

ד (Dalet)

3:10 He is like a bear lying in wait for me, like a hidden lion stalking its prey.

3:11 He dragged me from the path and tore me to pieces, and mangled me beyond rescue.

3:12 He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.

ה (He)

3:13 He shot his arrows into my heart.

3:14 I have become the laughingstock of all people; I am the subject of their mockery continually.