And it came to pass: The Lamentations of Jeremias

"And it came to pass, after Israel was carried into captivity and Jerusalem was desolate, that Jeremias the prophet sat weeping, and mourned with this lamentation of Jerusalem. And with a sorrowful mind, sighing and moaning, he said:



Jeremiah mourning over the Destruction
of Jerusalem - Rembrandt

 (Lamentations 4: 1-4)
"Aleph. How is the gold become changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street.

"Beth. The noble sons of Sion and they that were clothed with the best gold: how are they esteemed as earthen vessels, the work of the potter's hands?

"Ghimel. Even the sea monsters have drawn out the breast, they have given suck to their young: the daughter of my people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert.

"Daleth. The tongue of the sucking child hath stuck to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the little ones have asked for bread, and there was none to break it unto them."

(Text from: The Holy Bible  Translated from the Latin Vulgate and diligently compared with the Hebrew, Greek and other editions in divers languages. The Old Testament was first published by the English College at Douay, A.D. 1609 and The New Testament was first published by the English College at Rheims, A.D. 1582. With notes by Bishop Challoner....)

Isaias 53:1-8

Prophecy of Isaias (Isaiah) 53:1-8

A prophecy of the passion of Christ.

(1) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
(2)And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground: there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him:
(3)Despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised, whereupon we esteemed him not.
(4) Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted.
(5)But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.

(6)All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 (7)He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth.

 (8)He was taken away from distress, and from judgment: who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of my people have I struck him