unfoldingWord_en_tn/lam/04/18.md

# They followed our steps

Here "our steps" represents where they went. Alternate translation: "Our enemies followed us everywhere we went" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# Our end was near

Here "near" is a metaphor for "soon." Alternate translation: "Our end would be soon" or "Our enemies would soon destroy us" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# Our end

Possible meanings are 1) "Our end" refers to the end of living in their own city because their enemies would destroy the city and capture them. Alternate translation: "Our destruction" or "Our capture" or 2) "Our end" refers to the end of their lives. Alternate translation: "Our death" or "The time for us to die" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# our days were numbered

Being numbered represents being so few that they could be easily counted. Alternate translation: "we had very little time" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# our end had come

The phrase "had come" means that what they had expected was now happening. Alternate translation: "it was now the end for us" or "our enemies were attacking us" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])