en_tn/lam/02/13.md

# General Information:

The author begins to address Jerusalem.

# What will I testify for you?

The author uses this rhetorical question to express that he does not know what to say to help Jerusalem. This question can be written as a statement. Some modern translations read, "To what can I compare you?" Alternate translation: "There is nothing that I can say to testify for you." or "There is nothing to which I can compare you." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# To what can I compare you, ... Jerusalem?

The author uses this rhetorical question to express that he does not know what to say to help Jerusalem. This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "There is nothing to which I can compare you, ... Jerusalem." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# daughter of Jerusalem ... virgin daughter of Zion

These are poetic names for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. "Zion" is another name for Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification]])

# To what can I liken you ... Zion?

The author uses this rhetorical question to express that he does not know how to give comfort to Jerusalem. This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "There is nothing to which I can liken you ... Zion." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# Your wound is as great as the sea

This speaks of Jerusalem's great suffering as if it were as terrible as the sea is great. Alternate translation: "Your suffering is as terrible as the sea is large" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]])

# Who can heal you?

"Who can restore you?" The author uses this rhetorical question to express that there is no one who can restore Jerusalem to the way it was before. This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "No one can heal you." or "No one can restore you." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])