Samaria (the ten tribes of Israel) calls forth

“Poverty has befallen me, my children have left for another land!”

And Oholiva (Jerusalem) cries out:

“My palace is burnt down!” And Zion says: “The Lord has abandoned me!”

You cannot compare yourself to me, Oholiva. Look at my complete desolation; can your decline be compared to my collapse?

I, Ohola, who was severely betrayed and whose sins arose against me,

and in a few days I paid my debt but the King of Assyria devoured my kingdom (fruits).

He greedly stripped me of my jewels and carried me off into captivity to Halah and Habor.

So be still Oholiva, do not weep as I do! For the length of time you suffer will not be as long as mine. And Oholiva cried out: ......

Oholiva responded:

I also was stubborn and lead my youths in idolatory.

Be still Samaria, as I recall my grief! You strayed away but once but I strayed many times.

I was captured twice into the hands of the Chaldeans and as a poor captive descended to Babylon.

And the Temple of which I was so proud was burnt down, and for seventy years I exiled in Babylon.

Then I again returned to Zion and my Temple was re-established but I was there for only a short time.

For Rome seized me and I was almost destroyed, and my masses were dispersed to other Lands. And Oholiva cried out: ......

He who has compassion for the poor,

take pity on their plight and sees their desolation and the length of their exile.

Be not exceedingly angry but see how lowly they have become

and don’t remember their foolish sins.

Please heal the fracture of exile and comfort them in their grief,

for You are their hope and their strength.

renew our days as of old; as You have declared “The LORD shall rebuild Jerusalem”!