And return in mercy to Jerusalem,⁴⁰ 17b Your city, and dwell therein as You have spoken; and rebuild it soon, in our days, as an everlasting structure, and may You speedily establish the throne of David therein.

footnotes: ⁴⁰ The “pride of the righteous will be exalted” in the restored city of Jerusalem. Hence in this blessing we plead for the reconstruction of Jerusalem, as it is stated, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they who love You have peace” (Psalms 122:6)—Maseches Megillah

During Mincha services on the Ninth of Av, the following petition is added here:

Adonoy, our God, console the mourners of Zion¹ and the mourners of Jerusalem and the city that is in mourning and in ruins, despised and desolate. Mourning because she is bereft of her children, ruined of her dwellings, despised in contrast to her former glory, desolate without inhabitants, she sits alone with her head covered like a barren woman who never gave birth. Legions² have devoured her, idolaters have deprived her of her inheritance; they have put Your people Israel to the sword and have wantonly murdered the pious ones of the Most High. Therefore, Zion weeps bitterly, and Jerusalem raises her voice, “My heart, my heart [grieves] for their slain, my innards, my innards, [ache] for their slain. For you, Adonoy, set her afire, and with fire You will ultimately rebuild her, as it is said, “I will be to her, says Adonoy, a wall of fire around [her], and I shall be for glory in her midst.”³ Blessed are You, Adonoy, Consoler of Zion and Builder of Jerusalem.

footnotes: ¹ “Zion” is the spiritual sanctuary, while “Jerusalem” is the Jewish commonwealth which was to flourish around Zion.—S.R. Hirsch ² The Roman forces were called “legions.” ³ Zecharyah 2:9.

Blessed are You, Adonoy, Builder of Jerusalem.