Chapter 3: Anna’s Lament

1Anna looked intently toward heaven and saw a nest of sparrows in the laurel tree. She lamented, saying to herself:

2“Woe is me! Who gave birth to me? What womb bore me? I was born as a curse before the people of Israel and have been despised. They have mocked me and banished me from the Temple of the Lord my God.

3“Woe is me! What am I like? I’m not like the birds of heaven, because even the birds of heaven are fruitful before you, Lord.

4“Woe is me! What am I like? I’m not like the animals, because even the animals are fruitful before you, Lord.

5“Woe is me! What am I like? I’m not like the wild beasts of the earth, because even the wild beasts of the earth are fruitful before you, Lord.

6“Woe is me! What am I like? I’m not like these waters, because even these waters are serene, yet they churn, and their fish bless you, Lord.

7“Woe is me! What am I like? I’m not like this earth, because the earth produces its fruits when the time comes and blesses you, Lord.”