12. Lamed The kings of the earth and all the inhabitants of the world never believed that the adversary and the enemy would enter in through the gates of Jerusalem.
13. Mem For 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. Nun They have wandered blindly in the streets; they were polluted in blood, so that no one could touch their garments.
15. Samech They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not because they were contaminated; and when they were thrust through, they said among the Gentiles, They shall never dwell here again.
16. Pe The anger of the Lord has separated them; he will never look upon them again. They did not respect the countenance of the priests, nor did they have compassion on the elders.
17. Ain As for us, our eyes have failed in seeking our vain help; in our watching we have watched for people that cannot save us.
18. Tzaddi They hunt our steps that we cannot walk in our streets; our end came near; our days were fulfilled; for our end is come.
19. Koph Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the heaven; they pursued us upon the mountains; they laid wait for us in the wilderness.