The Book of Lamentations is a poetic work in the Hebrew Bible traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It consists of five chapters that express deep sorrow and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The verses reflect the pain and suffering of the people, highlighting themes of loss, despair, and the consequences of sin. Each chapter of Lamentations is structured as an acrostic, with the first letter of each line following the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of tragedy and the importance of remembrance in the face of suffering. It is often read during the Jewish observance of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.